Occupation:
Tennis Professional
Time in Japan:
One year
Where are you from?
I was born in Adelaide, South Australia, although I' spent the last eight years teaching
in Los Angeles.
What brought you to Japan?
I moved here to establish my third International Tennis Academy in Shinagawa. The other
academies are located in Los Angeles and Melbourne.
What do you do here?
Besides managing my own Tennis Academy, I'm also an actor in my spare time, and recently
appeared with Fujiwara Norika and Iijima Naoko on Japanese TV. I also recently appeared as
an LAPD officer in Lethal Weapon 4 with Mel Gibson, and the soon-to-be- released End
of Days with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
What are some of your major accomplishments?
Being ranked in the ATP tour's top 500 players in the world in 1990. Also, playing tennis
with US President Bill Clinton in Los Angeles in 1997 and playing doubles with former
President Bush's son, George Bush Jr., in Hong Kong in 1991.
How was playing tennis with Bill Clinton?
Actually, it was much like playing a game of tennis with my father, because the President
was so friendly and personable. President Clinton's secretary would call me from the White
House to advise me when the President would be arriving in Los Angeles. And I always got
nervous when his secret service agents followed me around, even to the bathroom!
What do you think the attitude of the Japanese is towards tennis?
The Japanese people are very enthusiastic and eager to improve all areas of their game.
Tennis is now the number one participant sport in this country, so they love the
competitive nature of it. There are not enough tennis facilities in Tokyo to meet the
needs of the people, so I decided to open my own academy and introduce match play sessions
for players of any age and any level to participate.
What is the strangest experience you've had in Japan?
Listening to the yaki-imo and saodake vendors driving around my house all day trying to
sell their hot sweet potatoes and laundry poles. Also, arriving in the mornings at
Shinagawa station to discover hundreds of drunken businessmen sleeping in the gutter, who
had all missed the final train home the night before after getting drunk.
Do you have a favorite area in Japan?
Odaiba, because it reminds me of Darling Harbor in Sydney. I enjoy visiting the man-made
beach, Deck's shopping mall and Sega Joypolis. It also reminded me a lot of New York when
they borrowed the Statue of Liberty for a few months!
If you could change one thing about Japan, what would it be?
I'd make the Yamanote line run 24 hours a day. I'd install more trash cans throughout the
city. I'd introduce smog checks on cars. I'd prohibit smoking in public bars, restaurants
and pachinko parlors. I'd increase the size of elevators in buildings. I'd replace all the
Japanese toilets with Western-style dunnies.
What is the one thing you would take back from Japan to your native country?
My favorite black "ichiban happi coat," which I bought in Asakusa. I turn many
heads when I wear it in Hollywood!
What's your recipe for a happy and successful life in Japan?
To become a professional sports commentator and analyst. To have front row seats at every
Yomiuri Giants home game at the Big Egg. To see the Japanese Baseball League expand to
include teams from South Korea and Taiwan. To eat my favorite Japanese food: yakisoba,
nikuman, curry, dango and an donuts! To play tennis with the Emperor and
his Princess. To cruise around Tokyo in my BMW.
Occupation:
LIFE IN JAPAN: