England striker reveals which Wimbledon champion inspired him

French Open

James Richardson
June 7, 2023

Former England international footballer Peter Crouch has opened up on his love of tennis and revealed which players inspired him.

Crouch made an appearance at Roland Garros this week and spoke about playing tennis and football as a kid and looking up to big stars turning out at Wimbledon.

The lanky former target man was enjoying his first trip to Roland Garros but has made many a trip to SW19.

He marveled at the touch on display at the French Open having grown up on a steady diet of serve and volley watching Wimbledon.

Crouch said that he personally took a great deal of inspiration from Goran Ivanisevic finally claiming a Wimbledon title late in his career as a wildcard.

He also added that Roger Federer has become the player that he has most enjoyed watching because he has changed the game from top to bottom.

When it comes to deploying his physical gifts, Crouch feels that he made the right choice to go into football rather than battle the big three in the world of tennis if indeed, he could get to that level.

“First time [at Roland-Garros], and it’s an absolute privilege. I didn’t read the scale of it,” Crouch said in a chat with Eurosport’s Alex Corretja.

“I’ve been to Wimbledon – growing up in West London – but it’s my first time here.

“I used to play – football and tennis were my two games – I loved it, but football took over and I went with that, and I think I made the right decision!

“When I was younger, it was all about serve and volleying. Being so tall, Ivanesevic was the man – with the wildcard at Wimbledon – he was someone that I always looked up to. Roger Federer was the most beautiful to watch; Sampras, Edberg, Lendl, Boris… being from London, watching those boys at Wimbledon was special.”

On his own game, Crouch admitted he was a big serve but little else.

“I loved tennis as a kid and was pretty good at it in my age category,” Crouch said in a prior interview.

“There was a time when I had to decide whether I would play tennis or go with football and, in the end, my passion for football was probably a bit stronger.

“I had a big serve. My problem was that when the ball came back over the net! I was not so good then and that was always going to be a problem, but I’m sure I would have improved if I had given my all to tennis as I have done in football.”

Watch every moment from Roland-Garros LIVE and exclusive on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport App

Goran Ivanisevic Peter Crouch