Find out what makes beach volleyball legend Phil Dalhausser tick

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Phil and his best pal (and the funniest player on Tour), Nick Lucena.

From his favorite pre-game tune to his best pal on the beach, we sat down with the 2008 Olympic champion and star of our #spikethesun shoot Phil Dalhausser and asked him to reveal all ahead of the Fort Lauderdale Major.

Swatch Major Series: Which celebrity would you like to teach beach volleyball?

Phil Dalhausser: I heard Pete Sampras likes to play, I'll give him a lesson if he gives me a lesson in tennis.
 

SMS: What’s the single most important thing in your suitcase when on Tour?

Phil: It's tough to choose one but probably my roller.
 

SMS: Give us the one song you listen to before a match to get pumped

Phil: Anything from Metallica.
 

SMS: Which player on the World Tour would you NEVER dance with? ;-)

Phil: Whoever is the shortest on Tour.

SMS: One best thing about beach volleyball?

Phil: The beach is my office!
 

SMS: What’s your favorite sport other than beach volleyball?

Phil: American football.

SMS: Which player on the Tour do you respect the most?

Phil: I would have to say Emanuel. I know he isn't on tour anymore but he stayed on top so long. It's hard not to respect that.

SMS: What’s been the best moment of your career so far?

Phil: Winning Olympic Gold.

Phil spiking the sun. Photocredit: Dustin Snipes/Red Bull.

SMS: Which three famous people (past or present) would you invite to a dinner party?

Phil: Michael Jordan, Howard Stern and Steve Jobs.

SMS: Who’s the funniest player on Tour?

Phil: Nick Lucena.

SMS: What’s the funniest moment you’ve had in beach volleyball?

Phil: I was playing in a really windy match and I attempted to jump serve. The toss was a little behind me and the wind blew it even farther. I ended up swinging and missing. If you can't laugh at yourself you can you laugh at?  
 

SMS: Who do you think is the most intelligent player on the Tour?

Phil: Jake Gibb.
 

SMS: Which player do you think trains the hardest?

Phil: Pedro Solberg.
 

SMS: What’s your favorite Swatch Major Series stop?

Phil: Gstaad.

SMS: What was the best piece of advice you’ve been given by your coach?

Phil: There's nothing worse than a sore winner. 

SMS: And what’s the one piece of advice you would give to a young beach volleyball player?

Phil: Focus on ball control, it's the most important part of the game.

SMS: What’s the one thing you want to improve about your game?

Phil: My passing could get better.

SMS: Who’s your best friend in beach volleyball?

Phil: Nick Lucena.

SMS: What’s best? East Coast or West Coast players? ;-)

Phil: Well, being from the East Coast I would have to say East Coast!

SMS: Give us one team to look out for on the World Tour this season.

Phil: Well other than Dalhausser/Lucena, I would say Kantor/Losiak from Poland.

Remember you can catch every minute of Phil in action at the Fort Lauderdale Major on our BeachStream channel. Click here to sign-up to get closer to the beach!