Spaniard sheds clothes and inhibitions for new image

Shy, boring and discreet are labels Tommy Robredo is keen to shake off.

Now much more media savvy than earlier in his career, the Spanish ace is determined to open up and live the life of a real superstar even if it means getting his kit off.

He recently posed for a nude centerfold in the July issue of the UK edition of Cosmopolitan magazine, for which he believes the pictures were "great".

"I like it very much," Robredo said. "Nude is OK for me, I think the pictures are great as I am always confident on my body."

An avid FC Barcelona supporter, the gifted 25-year-old Spaniard is a technically sound player, but was deemed to lack personality off the court.

He doesn't own a roadster or a luxury house even though he has earned more than $5 million during his nine-year pro career.

The world No 8 had few words at the press conference in Beijing where he didn't mind playing an amateur during a promotion without even warming up.

While he is relatively silent in front of the press, Robredo says he isn't shy when it comes to the social scene.

He's currently single but his most well-known relationship was with WTA player Gisela Dulko, who is now dating Fernando Gonzalez.

Robredo's good-boy image is set to change when people see Cosmopolitan, which boasts his nude pictures for the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, a program to raise awareness of testicular and prostate cancer.

"Actually I am not a shy person in some occasions," he said.

"I play games in front of some 10,000 fans and I have get used to it. I played aggressive balls and I know how to handle the pressure.

"When Cosmo first asked me to get naked, I thought 'No Way', but when I heard it was for charity I was like 'Okay, it's for a good reason.'

"After the shoot, I saw the picture and I know the money raised from it could help people, I am proud of saving a couple of lives by doing this and I am comfortable to pose for fans."

Named Tommy after the form of rock opera played byThe Who, his father's favorite band, Robredo stepped out of the shadow of his compatriots last year by finishing in the top 10 for the first time with his first ATP Masters Series title in Rome.

He also qualified for his first Tennis Masters Cup, which changed his outlook.

"I don't care how much is being talked about me," he said. "This is something for the press. Until a year ago I didn't want to know too much about the media.

"When I was in Shanghai, I met fans giving gifts to me, wanting photos. Then you realize that maybe it's worth it to spend some more time with the press, to develop my new website, so my fans are happy."

As the second-ranked Spaniard behind Nadal (No 2), Robredo continued his charge this season by winning a title at the Poland Open and making the quarterfinals at the Australian and French Opens, both of which he lost to ultimate champion Roger Federer.

The Spaniard is one of the three players, together with Nadal and Davydenko, to win more than 30 matches in the past two seasons.

But the tenacious hot shot believes he's yet to produce his best tennis.

"Some people are born for business, some born for singing, and I am sure I was born for the racket in my hand," he said.

"I think I am able to win a Grand Slam event, obviously Paris is the one I prefer. It's the closest one and it's on clay and it's nearly home.

"I had some very good matches this season, I feel I am coming closer to the Masters Cup in Shanghai right now. 25 is a good age for tennis players, so I will try to win big tournaments, I am confident I could play better tennis than ever before."

(China Daily 09/13/2007 page22)