Asamoah Gyan talks up dalliance with tennis; copying Roger Federer and love for Rafael Nadal

Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan has revealed imitating the world's best serve and volleyer, Roger Federer, has sustained his interest in playing tennis.

But the former Sunderland star says his favourite tennis player is the 'King of Clay' 19-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal.

He told TV3 Sports: ''I like it when people make point- like when you come to the net and you make the point like the serve and volley. I think Roger Federer is good at that. He's a master class.

''Honestly, I learnt that from him so anytime I'm in difficulties, I just try to place the ball to the corner and attack the net. I think I'm special in that. That was what brought me into tennis.''

Gyan can best be described as a late bloomer whose interest in playing tennis piqued just months ago.

''I had wanted to play around-if I could remember around 2006- We were in Kumasi. I think we were in camp around that that time and I saw two people playing on the court,'' Gyan told TV 3 Sports.

''I took the racket and my first serve over the fence so I decided not to play. I went back to Italy, got some rackets, came back on holidays.

''I played like once and I lost interest so it was like ten months ago I decided to play because I normally watch tennis and I said to myself I can play so that's where I started.''

At age 34, the man who has shone at major international football competitions, is far from winning a tennis satellite or circuit but he claims.

''I just recovered from injury. I started training now. I'm not fit like before but I have been able to beat people. I learnt the techniques and it's working,'' he added.

''When I am playing with somebody who is at my level, I think I have got the IQ- I have got two things- the football aspect and everything. I just use everything. I am ahead of the person.''