Marc Rosset remembers his Olympic victory 30 years ago
Sven Micossé (text) and Benjamin Soland (images)
“Marc, now you’re a champion,” was the Blick headline on August 9, 1992, the day after Marc Rosset’s sensational Olympic victory. When the man from Geneva looks at the framed copy of the sports page, he shows his arm – goosebumps. It shows what this title still means to him 30 years later.
Marc Rosset, what goes through your mind when you see this picture?
It gives me pleasure. It’s still very present, but also far away because it’s been 30 years. I still get asked about it regularly, but it feels like a different life.
What were your expectations when you traveled to Barcelona?
With none at all. It was my first Olympics, so I didn’t know about it. I didn’t attend the opening ceremony and when I saw the tableau I thought I’d be home in five days. I just wanted to see the Olympic Games and experience the whole thing up close.
The denouement was not kind to you. In the third round you ran against Jim Courier, the number 1 support.
I just beat him in three sets and then played the best tennis of my life and I don’t even know why. It was hard because there was also double. All games – including doubles – went over five sets. It was hot and therefore physically draining.
There is a special atmosphere in the quarterfinals against Emilio Sanchez.
It was evening and the audience was hot. The mood reminded me of a Davis Cup game. I remember just having to throw a simple smash to get a point. But I aimed at my opponent.
Why?
To further heat up the mood. I like such situations. At that point I probably needed more adrenaline to push myself. At that time there were no games for third place. As soon as you were in the semifinals, you got a medal. And I played against a Spaniard in Barcelona. It was electrifying. I had to leave the field after the victory with an escort and insulting the spectators.
Let’s jump to the final against Jordi Arrese. What can you remember?
The match point was ugly. I played praise for praise for praise. Even today I get nervous when I look at the rally. I know I won but I still get nervous. Towards the end of the game, I’m not even interested in becoming an Olympic champion. I couldn’t take it anymore and with match point I just wanted the party to end.
She is 30 years: Here Rosset wins gold at the Olympic Games(00:33)
Because of the heat?
Yes. I got sunstroke after the first set. It was extremely hot, but I was very cold – especially when changing sides. My biggest worry was that I’d miss the match point and the party would still go on. When I won and dropped onto the pitch, my first thought was, “It’s over. I don’t have to play anymore.”
When did you realize you had achieved something great?
After the game I took a shower and thought “Wow”. Then I realized that my clothes had been stolen.
Were you robbed during the final?
Exactly. Someone was in the cloakroom and had stolen the delegation clothes from me. That’s why I wore the colorful T-shirt that I had received from a spectator at the award ceremony. My stuff didn’t show up either.
Overall, how do you look back on the weeks in Barcelona?
I loved the Olympics, but there were some things that annoyed me. I don’t like the head of the delegation (René Meyer editor’s note). The swimmers around Dano Halsall and I never had a chance to get tickets to other competitions. I was there for ten days and wasn’t allowed to watch anything else live. Each committee received tickets for the athletes. I also remember something else clearly.
Marc Rosset himself
Marc Rosset was born on November 7, 1970 in Geneva. The 2.01 meter tall Romand made it to fourth place in the junior world rankings. His greatest success was winning the 1992 Olympic title in Barcelona. Rosset was notorious for his outbursts of anger on the field and for his serve, which at 215 km/h was the fastest in the world for a long time. He won 15 professional tournaments and made it to 9th place in the world rankings. In doubles he won the French Open in 1992 with Jakob Hlasek. Rosset played with Federer in the Davis Cup. From 2002 to 2005 he was even a captain. In 2005 he played his last game as a professional in doubles with Stan Wawrinka in Basel.
Marc Rosset was born on November 7, 1970 in Geneva. The 2.01 meter tall Romand made it to fourth place in the junior world rankings. His greatest success was winning the 1992 Olympic title in Barcelona. Rosset was notorious for his outbursts of anger on the field and for his serve, which at 215 km/h was the fastest in the world for a long time. He won 15 professional tournaments and made it to 9th place in the world rankings. In doubles he won the French Open in 1992 with Jakob Hlasek. Rosset played with Federer in the Davis Cup. From 2002 to 2005 he was even a captain. In 2005 he played his last game as a professional in doubles with Stan Wawrinka in Basel.
a was?
My friends wanted to watch the final in person, so they drove there from Geneva. I asked the boss for four tickets, he replied: «I don’t know if I have four seats…». To which I said, “I have back pain… I don’t know if I can play the final.” Eventually he found four places and my back felt better.
But you couldn’t really celebrate the win. After that we continued on the tour.
Yes, I celebrated with my friends in Barcelona. The next day something was organized in Geneva. The next day I’m in the USA. That was a pity. I guess I should have skipped the Cincinnati tournament.
Are you celebrating your 30th anniversary this year?
Probably not. I am not a fan of such celebrations. I never celebrate my birthday either. It’s cool, but I don’t like being the center of attention. Giving interviews doesn’t bother me. But organizing something big for me is not my thing.
Where do you store the medal?
She’s safe in a safe.
At your home?
… She’s safe in a safe. (smiles)
You ended your career 17 years ago. Do you still regularly grab a tennis racket?
I started again, but with my left hand. I could never play as well with my right hand as I used to. So I thought, why not play with links? I can only make progress there.
How’s the progress going?
I beat a friend who is R4 level. That’s not bad. But my service is terrible. You can simply label the forehand. But throwing the ball up with your other hand is an unnatural move. Marat Safin also questioned my plan. I told him that I’ve never had a good two-handed backhand (laughs). I’ve never experienced that in my career. It took me 48 years to do that.