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CHELSEA FC: BECK BACKS BALLACK

/noticias.info/ With Wimbledon well under way, Stamford Bridge has been playing host to a number of tennis aces in our Millennium Hotel, official hotel of the championships, as they prepare for one of the biggest tournaments of the year.

One such star is Andreas Beck. A rising name in the world of tennis, German born Beck is taking part in Wimbledon for the first time after qualifying from the earlier rounds in Roehampton and is now preparing for the Gram Slam event.

Still at the age of 22, Beck, who bought a Chelsea shirt in the Megastore yesterday, will now face world number two Rafael Nadal today at centre court, a task the Chelsea fan is relishing.

'I am not nervous yet, but maybe it is going to come 10 minutes before I go onto the court,' explained Beck.

'But I am really looking forward to this match, I am happy I am playing on Centre Court and I can play on the grass.

'It is my first time playing at Wimbledon in the main competition, before I was just playing in the Roehampton qualifications, but I like the club.

'I like the people there and it is fantastic to play there. It is one of my favourite tournaments of the year.'

Being a True Blue from Germany creates the perfect ingredients to be a massive Michael Ballack fan and as the Chelsea midfielder gets ready to lead his country out against Turkey for tomorrow's Euro 2008 semi-final, Beck is also preparing to support his home land.

'I am a big Michael Ballack fan and I am looking forward to watching the game tomorrow.

'Of course Michael Ballack is from Germany and he is an unbelievable player right now but I like Chelsea, I support the team because they have a lot of good players.

'I like the club and the people. The fans are unbelievable and incredibly loud in the stadium, so that is why it is my favourite team in England,' he admitted.

There are not many comparisons to be made between tennis and football, but Beck is sure of one thing, and that's the resilience and determination any character must have to succeed.

While thinking of his nation's football captain, he evaluates the relationships sportsmen and women have with their chosen career.

'I think everyone has another personality. Michael Ballack has another personality where he is fighting all the time on the pitch.

'It is maybe the same in tennis, where you have to fight for your game and for your serve.

'Michael Ballack also has the personality that he does it for the team, for football and the German federation in the European Championship, and I think that is great.

'There are definitely times when it is mind over matter,' he added.

Beck will face Nadal on Centre Court this afternoon, once four-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has played young British hopeful Naomi Cavaday at 1pm.

By Christian Collison notas_de_prensa_archivo