March 14, 2007

UCLA's top doubles team of Philipp Gruendler and Benjamin Kohlloeffel is currently undefeated on the season at 14-0. Ranked No. 7 nationally, the duo heads into the week with an 11-0 mark in dual match competition. They are coming off a season in which they finished ranked No. 4 in the country with 30-3 overall record. Scroll down to get a behind the scenes look at these two German standouts.

Gruendler

Name: Philipp Gruendler

Nickname: gruphi

In my spare time away from tennis I like to: Hang out with friends, go to the movies, play/follow sports, network

Greatest tennis memory: Winning the NCAA Championship with the UCLA tennis team in 2005

In 10 years I see myself: Somewhere on this planet

Before a match I always: Try to relax as much as possible and not to be in a hurry

Favorite movie(s): Gladiator, Zoolander

Favorite TV Show: 24, Stromberg (It's German)

Favorite Band/Musician: Many

Favorite Book: Didn't read that many...definitely not any school books :)

If I could play another sport at UCLA it would be: Soccer (coach, CALL ME!)

Favorite food: My mom's

Least favorite food: Mexican

Favorite sports team: THE UCLA BRUIN FAMILY

The athlete(s) I admire most is: Michael Jordan, Pete Sampras, Tiger Woods

Professional tennis player my game most resembles: Roger Federer :)

If I won the lottery I would: Finish my UCLA degree and then go on the Tour

Team I most like to beat (other that USC): Any opponent in the NCAA Championship match

Best advice I ever received was: MUCH...but definitely that you first have to be honest with yourself

My most prized possession is: My family and friends

The best thing about UCLA is: Being part of it

The best place I have played tennis is: Don't know, but definitely not the backcourts at UCLA

Most people don't know that I: Am very different if you know me better

My Favorite class at UCLA is: The one I am still looking for

Three people I would love to meet are: Will Smith, Boris Becker, Heidi Klum

If I wasn't playing college tennis I would be: Studying in Germany

The toughest player I have faced in college is: Myself !

The place I've never been that I'd most like to visit is: Playing a match on the center court at Wimbledon

Kohlloeffel

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Name: Benjamin Kohlloeffel

Nickname: Ben

In my spare time away from tennis I like to: Watch movies

Greatest tennis memory: Winning the NCAA Championship with the UCLA tennis team in 2005

In 10 years I see myself: Hopefully somewhere in a secure job

Before a match I always: Use the bathroom

Favorite movie(s): Too many

Favorite TV Show: Grey's Anatomy

Favorite Band/Musician: Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Favorite Book: The Pillars of Earth by Ken Follett

If I could play another sport at UCLA it would be: Soccer

Favorite food: Pasta, pizza, potatoes

Least favorite food: Sushi

Favorite sports team: Borussia Dortmund (German soccer team)

The athlete(s) I admire most is: Roger Federer, Michael Schumacher

Professional tennis player my game most resembles: Any player with an aggressive game

The best thing I am able to cook is: Pasta with tomato sauce

If I won the lottery I would: Buy nice stuff

Team I most like to beat (other that USC): There is ONLY SC

Best advice I ever received was: That's a good question

My most prized possession is: Health

The person who has had the greatest impact on my tennis career is: You learn a little bit from everybody. No one in particular.

The best thing about UCLA is: That it's a great school with a nice campus

The best place I have played tennis is: Wherever I was successful

My Favorite class at UCLA is: PS 137

If I wasn't playing college tennis I would be: Studying back home

The place I've never been that I'd most like to visit is: Australia, New York, Brazil