No. 1 on the court and on the benches

Posted on 21 January, 2025

Por Emilio Sánchez Vicario, CEO de la Emilio Sanchez Academy y el equipo de marketing de la ES Academy

No. 1 on the court and on the benches

A few weeks ago the news came out that Andy Murray would be coaching Novak Djokovic. At first I hesitated, but then I realized that I once did the same thing with my sister, and as soon as I retired I started coaching her. I thought, “I’m sure he’ll do well.” Knowing Andy from his youth when he spent his early years away from home at our tennis academy in Barcelona, I knew he would one day become a coach, but I never thought he would do it so soon after retiring, let alone picking the No. 1 player in the world.

Andy has been Novak’s direct rival, and he chooses one of the most difficult pupils to coach, because of his age, his system, but also because of his character. Will he be able to do a good job? I can imagine him with a lot of questions in his head, but Murray has always been known for choosing difficult challenges and for taking them to the end, although he must surely have doubts.

What he does have in his favor is that he has always been a scholar, he has found the way to compete with the best with less game and stand up to them, so being a deep analyst he can surely find the way to have the arguments to convince his student, in this case Novak, to reach his goals. His first change has been to convince the Serb to commit himself to play the whole year by preparing himself in the previous tournaments to be competitive.

The matches they have already played together in Australia as pupil-coach have shown closeness, respect and good plans. Novak started the tournament doubtful but has been improving with the passing of the matches and the truth is that they have not had any hard moments of tension yet. They even had some calm and paused conversations, where you can see the respect they have for each other. I was especially impressed by Andy’s calmness and humility, what a difference from the way he handled his emotions as a player in key moments.

Today they face Carlos Alcaraz and J.C. Ferrero in the quarterfinals. Novak is in his moment, he has been improving, but so has Carlos, all the work of both is directed to reach these matches in their best version. It will be a battle to the death and both have the tranquility of having on the bench a former number 1 who knows what it means to play these matches. However, Juan Carlos, although he shows on the bench how he feels, is quite moderate. How will Andy face his first emotional test? Let’s remember that as a player he had a hard time managing his emotions and Novak doesn’t shut up in difficult moments, so we’ll see which Andy we’ll find.

The truth is that it will be a great match on the court but also on the benches. Australia has decided to put the coaches almost inside the court and make them part of the party, so the show is guaranteed both inside and outside the court. We will sure learn a lot of tactics and patterns of play today.

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Rafa Nadal and his greatness

Posted on 22 November, 2024

By Emilio Sanchez Vicario, CEO of the Emilio Sanchez Academy and the ES Academy Marketing Team

Rafa Nadal and his greatness

Once again I find myself sitting at my computer, writing about Rafa. The thought that this is the last time I do it as a player saddens me deeply. Rafa has accompanied me these last 25 years in my post-player stage and I have been able to tell everything about him on television, in newspaper articles or in technical analysis. I think I have written so much about Rafa that I have analyzed him more than myself, I have compared him to the Little Prince, to the Greek gods, to extraterrestrials, I have explained his technique, his tactics, I have praised his physique and not to mention his head, trying to give a personal version to feel different. In studying his trajectory what I have tried is to talk about his legacy, and today I will try to explain what has led him to his GREATNESS.

Let’s choose the value, pillar, or concept close to GREATNESS that we want, all of them bring us closer to Rafa. So let’s tell his story to understand how he has reached the end of his road leaving so much behind.

Today the big media offer to the youth the example of fictional superheroes with inhuman superpowers, such as Captain America, Spiderman, Superman, Wonder Woman…. Rafa is our protagonist and he has written a story with human superpowers that has taken him to the Olympus of those who touch greatness, but with real powers.

Our superhero decided to show himself to the world through tennis, he marked an era and has left a legacy that neither the most experts nor I myself had achieved, and that is why so many times we call him alien, inhuman, monstrous, as he was breaking barriers and yet no one could imagine that he would get so far. If we analyze in depth his virtues and how he has been able to achieve it, we find values with a background to do good, always with humility and dedication encompassing all the basic pillars that we parents want our children to have.

Let’s go to the beginnings. Rafa wanted to be a footballer like his uncle Miguel Angel Nadal, but his other tennis uncle took him to play tennis, and made him soak and feel that passion for our sport. It was here where the superhero began to forge. His uncle Toni trained him in tennis, but what he mainly focused on was to create a warrior who could grow when adversity was the greatest. He managed to work the mind so that emotions would not turn into frustration, to achieve simplicity in tactical patterns and so that his physique and mind would become privileged, repeating and repeating until he created habits of behavior. If we add to that his dream of achieving that performance in competition, valuing every ball received, all these factors helped him to break every barrier that was put in front of him, becoming that superhero invincible on clay, the best on hard courts and inspiring on grass, where his game did not adapt but his illusion and his desire to break the mold helped him to achieve it by beating the best of all.

He chose at the age of 11 to play left-handed being right-handed, since he hit everything with two hands and did not think that when he grew up he would lack speed in his serve. This fact limited him a lot, he served 20 km/h slower than the others and above all he lacked precision in the direction and angles. He worked tirelessly on this aspect during the 20 years of his career, but even if he did not win so many free points, he made up for it with continuity and with his second and third shots. This ability allowed him to win almost 90% of his serves, the same figure as his rivals but with few direct points.

At the age of 15 he discovered the terrible birth disease in his left foot, the Müller-Weiss syndrome, with very few treatment options and with the cross of knowing that any day he could play his last game. He was fitted with special insoles, with adapted shoes that he never changed, only the color, throughout his career.

If he had already worked on resilience with his uncle, suffering from this pathology made him value even more what he loved. That change in the way he walked because of the insoles is perhaps the cause of some of his many knee, hip, psoas or abdominal injuries. Seeing all that he must have gone through is moving and knowing that that superhero costume has helped him to be able to overcome it touches anyone.

I had heard of him, but the first time I saw him was at our tennis academy playing the final of his first Future. He was with Toni Colom, Toni Nadal’s squire and his father. There I met him and I was struck by his personality on the court and that of his father off it, I thought “How similar they are”. Watching him play I saw a gifted player, but I did not see the superhero. It was impressive to see him win at just 15 years old, with total dominance of the midfield. Then he extended his victories to 7 or 8 in a row. Then he knew he was ready to make the leap.

He went to Monte Carlo and revolutionized it. With Carlos Costa as his manager, his intuition and the choice of a former player manager gave him an advantage. Carlos always looked after his schedule and recovery before the business.

After the Monte Carlo tournament and the difficulties he faced there, he joined his team with Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, a doctor who, like Carlos, had also been a tennis player and who became a key player throughout his career. He helped him to recover better, to dose himself and above all to face adversity by taking the heat out of the matter and working hand in hand with Rafael Maymó, the faithful physio who also became an essential member of the staff.

Later when I took the reins of the Spanish Davis Cup team, I got to know him better. I understood the other Rafa when I met his mother, who was the piece that completed the puzzle. His mother brought humility, closeness, gentleness, she was the polar opposite of his father’s personality, and the resulting combination is Rafa.

Those years on the court, sharing battles, preparation, desperation, and analyzing off the table his rages, his reactions, always trying not to lose confidence and reinforcing the beast, I learned how his mind worked, and especially watching him I realized that he is like a sponge, as he absorbed the best of everyone to strengthen and compete, especially those closest to him as his parents, his physio Maymó, his doctor Ruiz-Cotorro, his manager Costa or his uncle Toni. Rafa is the sum of all of them. In any match he has always nourished himself from his groups and to see how he looked at his bench is worthy of praise because he absorbed everything they had inside and more.

I remember as if it were yesterday my first conversation with him while coaching the Davis Cup team, I told him, “Look, I will not shut up, I will try to help you and try to convince you of what I see”, and he replied “Emilio, when I play I am nervous, angry, fearful, sometimes happy or happy and many times I do not know what to do, so, if I trust you, rest assured that I will do what you tell me”. I looked at him thinking “What a head, we are going to have a good time”.

Rafa has been the example of how to train with maximum intensity, there is not a shot to which he does not put maximum focus, his concentration and effort is such that very rarely you will see him not choosing his repertoire well. He starts at 100% on every shot, on every point, in every game, in every set, in the whole match. Training with him is an experience as if it were a final, he always trains with the goal of improving, to reach his best version and as he repeats and repeats, then in the matches it comes naturally to him.

Another part of his magic are the routines before the matches, he knew what worked best for him, not only on the court with his bottles and rituals before each serve or rest, but also in training and in the preparation of the match. Off court he repeated locker, hotel, restaurant, times, breaks. In his first Roland Garros, he was playing Roger in the semis, I was in Paris as a TV commentator and playing the Senior Legends. That Friday with almost nobody in the locker room after my match I went to take a shower and I saw him standing in front of a shower, with more than 20 free and I asked him, “What are you doing there?” He pointed to a shower and gestured to me, I looked and in it was Roger in his shower. Either he was showering in the other’s, or he was waiting, but he wasn’t going to change, I’m sure in these 20 years he never changed showers at Roland Garros. Then he beat him in 4 sets and conquered his first win out of 14 at the RG. And that Roger was another superhero who had to reinvent himself to be able to fight against Rafa.

Rafa and his story is one to tell. He managed to highlight his mental strength to be able to compete against a player with better technique, more subtle, with ease and he with his game and his limitations but with a determination, belief, confidence and concentration almost inhuman, managed to overcome him on most occasions.

But as it happens in life another guest to the battle appeared, Novak Djokovic. In the beginning Rafa and his mind broke him in adversity, but the Serb was filing his shortcomings and weaknesses and becoming very dangerous and finally finding the hole where to hurt Rafa. He began to attack his forehand, something that no one had dared before and it worked to perfection, so much so that Federer, Murray and Wawrinka began to do the same. Besides, both Rafa and Roger had shown their greatness in victory, but also in defeat. Novak didn’t play at that, he was the wolf of the situation who would roll over and pounce even when it wasn’t his turn.

Rafa knew that to stay on top and beat them again he had to reinvent himself and during one of his most serious injuries in 2016, he decided to make the most difficult change, replacing his mentor, his uncle, with Carlos Moya and taking the commitment to give a 180-degree turn to his forehand and attacking game. He had to become more aggressive, to win the court so that they could not attack his forehand. That transition after having been the best with some patterns, having to change them, is only worthy of the gifted. His perseverance, dedication and good management gave him results, managing to defeat both again and win 8 Grand Slams with better serve, attack, forehand, backhand, slice, volley and drop shots. One of his greatest virtues has been to let himself be coached, to believe that his people, that his team would always help him in that goal. For me he is the player who has listened the best and most attentive to any advice to make it part of his repertoire with a single goal, to be better.

When I analyze a player and we talk about exceptional talent, I first look at how much time the player has between the bounce of the ball and the stroke. His coach Moyà with his forehand could almost have a coffee before hitting the ball, while, on the other hand, with his backhand he lacked time. Rafa is a ten in creating the necessary time to give the right direction to both the drive and the backhand. The next key point is the execution or stroke and the sense you have when hitting it, you can make the same stroke changing speeds, angles, heights, is to feel the ball, handle it and Rafa is another ten, millimetric precision. His uncle always used to say that he had no hand, but for me his hand was privileged because he could easily get the shots to the heights and directions he wanted. And finally in that execution the confidence that whatever you decide to do with that shot, high, low, strong, slow, spin, slice goes where you want it to go results in another honorable mention in confidence.

His greatness is difficult to summarize, it is like an exceptional state of performance and superiority in every moment of the battle, finding a way to be better than others in the key moments of the matches. Rafa has it all: focus (analyze, live, give, receive, set achievable goals, improve), passion (intensity, want, love, enjoy) and state of mind (resilience, dedication, self-belief, confidence, strengths, habits, values).

However, I am a fan of Rafa because of his greatness since I have always been impressed by great players like Jordan or Severiano himself, who defined greatness with his 4 C’s: Condition, Head, Heart and Courage (Cojones he used to say, although today it is not right to say it, but that is how he expressed it). That is Rafa, our Rafa and although from now on he will not play anymore, there will remain his legacy, his way, his philosophy and his superpowers, which can be taught. He has before him a new challenge in his life, he will surely find ways to continue making a difference.

Thank you Rafa for allowing me to learn so much, without wanting to inspire those around you to be like you, follow that path. Today is not a goodbye, because seeing you these days cheering at the Davis, I know that you will continue to be close and that you will be able to bring that Greatness in so many other things you do.

Photos: Gianni Ciaccia, Miguel Ángel Zubiarrain y Xavi Font

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USP Winter Showcase: Your Path to College Tennis at ES Academy

Posted on 16 September, 2024

Every year, our ES Academy in Naples transforms into the center stage for one of the most anticipated tennis events—the USP Winter Showcase. Organized by USP our college pathway partners, this showcase offers young tennis athletes an invaluable opportunity to display their talent in front of more than 200 college coaches. These coaches, hailing from prestigious institutions, are on the lookout for players who demonstrate not only skill and technique but also teamwork, grit, and a winning attitude.

What sets this event apart is the format: a perfect blend of competitive college-style match play and direct interaction with coaches. Over several days, participants battle it out on the courts during morning sessions. The afternoons are dedicated to insightful talks with the very coaches who are there to scout talent for their collegiate teams. It’s an atmosphere charged with excitement and opportunity.

In addition to the tournament, ES Academy offers a unique advantage—a pre-showcase training week from December 2nd to December 6^th (excluding the showcase days). This daily training (with a discount for USP sign-ups) program is specifically designed for participants to acclimate to the courts, sharpen their skills, and get a feel for the competitive environment they will face during the showcase with UTR Verified match play sessions in the afternoons.

Winter is a critical time for tennis players, as it is packed with tournaments, making it a peak season for showcasing talent. ES Academy provides a year-round environment where players can train continuously for these tournaments. With a low coach-to-player ratio, the academy ensures that each athlete receives personalized attention in a family-oriented setting. The focus is on goal setting and individualized development, with coaches dedicated to helping each player take their game to the next level. It’s not just about refining technique but developing a winning mindset, ensuring players are mentally and physically prepared for whatever comes next.

The showcase is more than just a tournament; it’s a stepping stone toward a future in collegiate tennis. Players not only get the chance to demonstrate their skills but also to form lasting connections with coaches who could shape their athletic careers. For those coaches who are unable to attend in person, the event also offers a virtual section, with matches recorded and accessible to coaches online, ensuring no talent goes unnoticed.

As the showcase approaches, excitement builds both on and off the courts, making the USP Winter Showcase a standout event in your tennis calendar.

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Back to school

Posted on 9 September, 2024

By Emilio Sanchez Vicario, CEO at Emilio Sanchez Academy and ES Academy Marketing Team

Dear student,

I know this is a difficult time, you have just made the decision to spend a year with us at our tennnis academy studying, training and competing, I’m sure you are nervous, but I’d like to encourage you to be calm.

Here you will learn from defeat, from adversity, from giving much more than you imagine you can give and, above all, you will learn to be and live like a 360 degrees tennis player. You will rest tennis, you will eat tennis for breakfast, you will train tennis, you will shape your body to endure, to jump, to get ready as fast as you can, you will eat to perform, you will rest to endure. You will be able to give yourself a chance at life with tennis and education. This is the biggest challenge you can set for yourself and with time you will see that it is the best decision. You will learn to do it with passion and to be perseverant in following your dreams.

In addition, you will live with boys and girls from other cultures from more than 40 countries with the same dream as you. You will learn to respect them and understand them, as many will be rivals but also mirrors, friends and companions. Here you will establish unbreakable relationships over time and you will realize that this effort will help you to think like a tennis player in the matches of your life.

Here you will work on our values such as respect, effort, discipline and you will see that thanks to these values you will connect, learn and make them your own, like so many alumni who today keep talking about them.

We, the faculty, the coaches, the entire staff will help you find your best self to face adversity. And to do so, you will have to continually step out of your comfort zone to be prepared for the most incredible battles.

The academy will be your home, your peers and the staff will be your family and your support. We will have a great year. We are also celebrating 25 years of trajectory and we want to add many more with you.

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ANDY’S LEGACY

Posted on 20 August, 2024

Andy Murray at Emilio Sanchez Academy as a young student-athlete

By Emilio Sanchez Vicario, CEO at Emilio Sanchez Academy and ES Academy Marketing Team

Dear Andy,

How incredible it was to see after your recent announcement all the recognition of who you are, your career, your triumphs, but above all your legacy. The truth is that there are no words to describe it.

If we look back, way back, I see you walking along the mulberry tree walk of our tennis academy with your mother, Judy, the day you came to visit the academy recommended by Rafa Nadal.

I must admit that when your mother was talking to me, I was thinking, “no chance, I don’t know what she sees”, after seeing you walking looking at the ground with those skinny, crooked legs. I looked at you and you didn’t pay any attention. When we approached court number 3, I remember it perfectly, and we started to play, your shy look was still unimpressive, but when we started to play together, your face changed, your fang appeared, and above all I was impressed by how you knew how to get out of difficult situations when I pushed you. Your counterattack was brutal and my opinion began to change. Then you started to look at me as if you were superior, as if you were challenging me, I loved that. I talked to Judy and I told her “I want him to stay, I think we can help him”. I also loved seeing how clear Judy was about it, separating the brothers, getting Andy to improve mobility for his type of play. Great decisions at the right times.

Your stay had its ups and downs but you always took steps to improve your level. You spent all your puberty in Barcelona, you became very culé, you also made great friends, later referents in tennis like Dani Valverdu (top coach after your chance), Maria Garcia Planas (AtP director) and as I always explain to everyone who came to see you in tournaments you always treated them like family. Tennis-wise you evolved, physically you developed and mentally you became an Englishman with the heart-mind of a Spaniard. Your junior Slam showed that you had that gene to make a difference in the key points. Our work to make you a tennis player, not a title player, but one who lives tennis 24/7 like the Spaniards paid off quickly. You learned to be resilient, different, tireless fighter, professional, humble and above all defender of lost causes, always making the difference with small details. For me, watching you compete, following you all these past 20 years has filled me with inspiration, since all the efforts made by you, your mother and our tennis academy were reflected in those moments of success.

You are a number one in giving more than what you can give, that’s why you have been able to come back from those complex situations caused by your injuries and you have been able to play again when nobody thought you could, and you have done it at the highest level, again and again.

That way of being, of living life makes you very prepared for this next chapter of your life, you can choose what to do, and I hope you continue in our world, that you find something to which you can put the same passion as playing. Nevertheless, if you choose a different path, I’m sure you will shine and make a difference thanks to that mentality and determination that you carry with you.

Two years ago you came back to our tennis academy and we honored you with a court with your name on it, certainly you have earned the title of the student who has reached the top, to be number one in the world, and who has made a difference by achieving incredible milestones, such as breaking the spell for an Englishman to win at Wimbledon, also winning the Davis Cup and 2 Olympics. Unbelievable, who would have said it that day. I personally, as well as the academy where you grew up, admire you, and that day we thanked you in a small way for the powerful legacy you left with us. You are an example, a mirror, a guide and an illusion for the kids who know that, if you work hard, you can become a tennis player, and you can achieve your dreams as you did. We will always keep your story alive, which is also ours. Thank you, Andy, whenever you want this will always be your home.

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The Olympic Games and the different ways to live them

Posted on 19 August, 2024

Juegos Olímpicos Seúl 88. Medalla de plata para Emilio Sanchez Vicario y Sergio Casal

By Emilio Sanchez Vicario, CEO of the Emilio Sanchez Academy and the ES Academy marketing team

I was only 7 years old when I started my career as a swimmer when my parents arrived in Barcelona. From the beginning I realized the difficulty and sacrifice necessary to excel in this sport. I remember waking up at night dreaming of the line of the pool in training. I immediately started playing soccer at school, and when I was 8 years old, I picked up a tennis racket for the first time, playing one day a week. As you can see, I had a full week doing sports, two days of soccer, two days of swimming and one day of tennis. Every year I replaced swimming with more tennis, and by the age of 12 I gave up soccer as well, since depending on a coach to like you didn’t satisfy me. However, my admiration for sports of all kinds began.

Even though I was not winning much in tennis, I decided to quit the rest of the sports. Now, looking back, starting with swimming, moving on to a team sport, soccer, and then ending up in a more technical sport, tennis, helped me a lot in my development, but most of all each of them helped me to love the sport. What better than the Olympic Games to bring together all those dreams and illusions. There was a difficulty, I knew that tennis was not Olympic, although they were talking about including it.

And so it was. In Los Angeles 1984, tennis was under-23 and for exhibition. I was selected to play and although I was terrible, I was only 19 years old, I fell madly in love with the Olympics. Going to watch a basketball game or seeing Abascal win his medals was brutal. However the most incredible memory was seeing Mary Lou Retton win the gold with a perfect 10, the 10-minute ovation from the stadium excited, crying with joy touched me. Another brutal memory was the camaraderie at the closing ceremony, between Moracho and other athletes we tried to make a human tower, and although some from other countries joined us, we did not succeed.

Four years later, in Seoul, we arrived as real professionals and we broke all the predictions, beating incredible couples, getting into the final and losing it in an epic way 9-70 in the fifth set. We won the silver medal, and we did not realize of the magnitude of the Games until our arrival in Barcelona where almost a thousand people were waiting for us at the airport. Dreams were fulfilled, not only for participating but also for winning the first tennis medal. It was like the perfect courtship.

The global effect of the Olympics, if you also managed to win a medal, multiplied horizons that tennis alone could not even imagine. The Olympic Games are the most powerful media event in sport, and television stations make it their own to take it to every corner of their countries.

What else could I ask for? The next Olympics would be in Barcelona. We tennis players are not used to competing for a week every 4 years, we are globetrotters who play 40 weeks a year, and that at the epicenter of your career the Games are held in your country, in your city, it is like the opportunity of a lifetime to play in front of your own people in a global event. My expectations were very high both in singles and doubles. But when I got to the quarterfinals and played for the medal, after beating top people, I lost both in 5 sets, with Rosset in singles and Becker Stich in doubles, then both took the magic gold, and I was left with my diplomas. I never managed to overcome my disappointment and sadness. I had lost my great opportunity to marry the games, to touch the glory in your own home. The truth is that I lost a lot of motivation.

I continued playing, but it was never the same, my performance had dropped, especially in singles, and the Atlanta ‘96 games arrived. The rules only allowed five players per country, 4 in singles and one in doubles, if none of the players’ couple qualified in singles those first years they did not allow them to play doubles. How could we do it? Santana promised us that if we helped the team in the Davis Cup he would take me to the Olympics. It would be my fourth Games, although I only wanted to reach that record in doubles, but a month before the event the captain met me in Rome and told me that he would not take me. The world fell on me, the Olympics due to other people’s circumstances were far away. It felt like when the coach left you on the bench, my feeling of abandonment with the games hurt me in my soul, you do not know how much I missed Sergio in that 1996 Olympics because he had retired, but anyways we could not have gone as a couple because of the Olympic rules.

I think I’ve always been lucky, or I’ve been looking for luck, but the truth is that life keeps giving you opportunities. In 1997 with a neurological problem in my shoulder, my doctor gave me almost 10 months of recovery if I had surgery, and the truth is that mentally I was no longer so competitive, so I played some tournaments by invitation. At that time my sister Arantxa proposed me to help her as a coach, she was in a crisis and trusted me to help her get out of it. In the end I accepted, I worked very hard, but after a year and a half she won in Paris again in ‘98 and I closed the agreement to start my tennis academy, 2000 comes quickly and I went with her as personal coach to Sydney. The truth is that this opportunity was better not to have lived it, as a personal coach without being in the national team you can hardly go to see matches, nor access to training and less to areas of athletes. Besides, we did not do so well, and we lost before the medals. It was an Olympics to forget as a personal coach.

In 2004 the Spanish National television TVE offered me the chance to commentate on the Davis Cup and the Olympic Games, which allowed me to see the bulls from the sidelines, talking about what I like and watching it as a journalist. The truth is that it was a luxury, with that accreditation you have access to all the venues without restrictions and you can really live the Olympics from the inside.

Time goes by and in 2006 I took the reins of the Davis Cup team, in 2008 it allowed me to be the head of the tennis expedition, also with a Rafa who had just won Roland Garros and Wimbledon to Roger and had reached the number 1. At one point the team hesitated to go to China, it was a big effort, but I had to use all my arguments of the globality of the games and everything I lived in 1988 to convince them. Nadal was exhausted, but he found the way to beat Djokovic in the epic match in the semis and Rafa and Spain took the gold in Beijing 2008. Those Olympics were brutal, the Chinese stopped the rain for the opening, what we sweated that day was inhuman, then they made it rain whenever they wanted. Living in the village with athletes as responsible had its challenges if we compared it with other sports. Vivi and Anabel took an unexpected and heartfelt silver, they gave everything and had a prize.

That was my last Olympics from the inside, as you can see almost all were different. What I do know is that every year when the Olympics come, if I turn on TV I find it hard to walk away, the Games still have that magic. The athletes of the more than 30 specialties are special people, in some sports they have been 4 years training for that race, or that fight, or that match. The truth is that they deserve everything they get and they should even get more.

In these last Games the competitiveness has been more and more equal, what a 100 meters race we had, all under 10 seconds, crazy. Tennis has had an epic final with two medals for Spain, the sport that since ‘98 always had medals, at least one. A success.

I’m still glued to the TV. And watching this I realize that the next event will mark 40 years since my medal, and it will be in Los Angeles. I must find a way to go, I will try to go as a guest so I can see it and enjoy it. I start dreaming again, let’s see if I can be there and experience it the only way I haven’t yet enjoyed it.

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ARANTXA: FIGHTING, THAT HELPED ME WHEN I WAS PLAYING AND IT STILL HELPS ME AS A PERSON

Posted on 1 July, 2024

In this first episode of our Emilio Sánchez Academy podcast series, we are honored to have a very special guest: Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, one of the first students of the Academy and former world No. 1 in women’s tennis. In an intimate conversation full of memories, Emilio Sánchez and Arantxa recall their beginnings at the academy in Barcelona, their trajectory on the professional circuit and the values that the sport has instilled in them.

Arantxa shares her experience of struggle and perseverance in the most difficult moments of her career, her role as a mentor for young tennis players, and the importance of mentality and emotional support in high performance sports. This conversation not only gives us a unique insight into the life of a champion, but also provides valuable advice for the next generation of tennis players.

Join us on this journey through time, full of anecdotes and life lessons, and discover what it really means to be a warrior on and off the court.

Emilio: Arantxa, we begin this series of Podcasts of the Academy, and what better way to do it with one of the first students. It’s been 25 years since you were with us at the Academy first, and you became number 1 and became the greatest exponent of women’s tennis. I thank you very much for being here.

Arantxa: My pleasure.

Emilio: What memories do you have of those first moments when you were at your peak, and we started working together, at the time when we founded our center in 1998 in Barcelona?

Arantxa: The truth is that time flies by, doesn’t it? It’s been a while. It goes by very quickly.

Emilio: It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?

Arantxa: I have very good memories, although the truth is that I had to work hard. At that time we had a good schedule, good training, and I was also coming from a difficult, complicated moment. I had lost quite a few matches and I was trying to regain that confidence that had helped me win before. I have fond memories, of arriving first and leaving last, because I was really back on the tennis court, training, doing tennis, physical, planning again, focusing on being able to be competitive again. I remember spending a lot of hours there, but at the same time I have good memories because you could be outdoors, playing sports, and I felt like I could run all over the place and like I was at home. So it was hard, but not so hard at the same time because I was with my family and it was a time of togetherness, so in conclusion I have great memories from this time.

Emilio: And you had a very important predisposition in those moments, because I remember that you were like a mirror for the players who were there with you. I remember that you were incredibly good with Maui Serna, you even became Svetlana Kuznetsova’s godmother and you even took her to tournaments and shared a lot with her, isn’t that right?

Arantxa: Exactly. I spent a lot of time on the circuit and I was able to help the young girls who came after me and who were also friends, partners, while we shared good times. Their careers were also at the top, and it was important for me to be a little bit their godmother, the older sister, let’s say, to some of them, and to share those moments. The circuit is quite lonely, but being able to be together kept us company and above all we could talk about many things and I think that in the end they also became part of my family, and of the team.

Emilio: And what would you say to a junior, to a girl who is just starting? What would be your advice to her?

Arantxa: I would tell them to enjoy the moment, to try to give their best, to train hard and that if they do things right, the results will come, but more than anything to help them, to guide them a little bit, to tell them that the road is not going to be easy, but that they should have predisposition, passion, and above all determination to train well. And that if they train well, the results will follow. And also to help them in those moments when sometimes we girls are a bit down. Maybe it is about having a little help from the outside, from another person who knows the tennis world and who could also help in those moments.

Emilio: And now looking back, as a tennis player, how do you define yourself? What do you get most out of being able to teach your students and the people who are with you?

Arantxa: The truth is that I don’t like to talk about myself at all. I prefer that others don’t talk about me. I have always tried to be quite a humble person, to keep my feet on the ground and try to contribute as much as I can with my experience to the young women. I am a fighter, I think I have also transmitted that. I am a warrior, I do not give up despite the circumstances. Sport has helped me a lot, as it does now in my life. And as a mother, I try to transmit the values that sport and my family gave me to my children. That’s what I try to pass on. And if I can also help other girls, all the better.

Emilio: When you played the matches and those finals against the best, against Graf, against Seles, and you were losing and you were winning 6-1, 4-1 in the US Open, what did Arantxa bring up there? You talk about passion, about values, but who were you at that moment when you heard that 6-1, 4-1, what were you thinking?

Arantxa: I was thinking about continuing to fight, with the determination, the strength, the mental and physical pillar that I had, the confidence with which I played. I was thinking about fighting every point, getting the best out of me and saying, “if you are going to beat me, you beat me, I am not going to lose the match, I am not going to give up”. I tried to play every point from the beginning to the end, no matter what happened, to have confidence in myself to turn it around and win that match to have a chance to win the next one.

Emilio: And in those finals against the No. 1, when you are there, when you are so close to losing, but then you are about to win. In that moment, when you are about to win and you don’t get it, but you have to create another opportunity, how was your conversation with yourself at that moment?

Arantxa: Well, I talked to myself a lot, I encouraged myself a lot, I used to say the shout of GO, of war, as I said…

Emilio: That was when you won, but what about when you lost points?

Arantxa: I cheered up in those moments because I won, but when I lost I said, well, clean slate and I’m going to play the next point. I tried to let it not affect me when things were going badly, and I tried to focus on the next point so that if I won it, it would give me the confidence to continue. So it was about believing, believing in myself and above all having the determination and strength of confidence to be able to do it.

Emilio: Belief, confidence… in complicated moments, at that time, in any situation you got out of it through passion, confidence, determination, hard work. How do you see as a number 1 player, with great experience, in today’s world where there is so much talk about mental health issues and that a player does not know how to face adversity and that it is a mental problem?

Arantxa: Well, there has always been because we have also gone through it, but at that time perhaps it was a more taboo subject, it was not talked about. Now it seems more normal, but we have all had to face it and you have to know how to identify it, you have to work on it, you have to look for specialists to help you to get out of it and help you in such difficult moments. It is okay to ask for help. First you have to accept it because if you don’t accept it, it is much more difficult, I think. And secondly, with the help you find, be honest, because you have to have a 100% relationship with that person so that they can help you to face those situations. With this group of people, together with your team, and with the specialist, you can work through it so that it helps you, so that you can continue and have that confidence later in parties. How do I see it? I think it’s nothing strange to go through it or talk about it, but you have to work on it, and with that, everything goes much better. I think I am a mentally strong person, but I have also had to work on it; at the time I also had a person who helped me and it is not a bad thing, but perhaps in the previous period it was not talked about. It has always happened, we have all gone through that situation. Now there is much more talk, perhaps because of the media, social networks and everyone talks, but I think it is part of being an athlete.

Emilio: And when you have this support, because you have already found it, as you have to be part of your team, what advice would you give to young girls who are 14-15-16 years old who have a battle at this time and that maybe they do not see themselves, or that in this situation they think they will not continue? There are many girls who, at puberty, at the moment of development, throw in the towel because this problem of adversity, of difficulty, is too much for them, they have been making an important effort for 6, 7 or 8 years, playing for many hours and they decide to quit. What advice would you give to all those girls who have made a big effort and decide to quit?

Arantxa: Well, don’t do it, don’t throw in the towel, keep doing it a little more. Let them try. Not just because things don’t work out and they stop doing it. That they ask for help because it is important, to accept it, to work, but to keep trying and to improve day by day. And then set small goals, or something that can help them to improve, but because things do not work out, it is not possible to do it, but with work, discipline, strength and will, and with help, you can get out. To also believe in yourself, that you can do it, that it is also important and all that together, can help them. Do not give up, but keep on trying and trying. Because it is a shame that after the effort, they give up. You have to be strong and brave.

Emilio: Now that you are playing the role of coach?

Arantxa: (Laughter) No, I am not a coach.

Emilio: When you come here to the Academy, you come often and you play with the girls or with the boys or with the Pros, what kind of coach are you, do you look at it, are you technical, are you tactical, are you physical, are you mental, what do you focus on when you have to make a difference, to help those players?

Arantxa: More than being a coach I don’t try and tell them how to hit or not to hit, because there are already coaches for that in the Academy. Instead I try to see how they are. First I ask them how they feel, how they are and get to know them a little bit, and depending on how I see them, then I work in the sense that they get the confidence to be able to do things. Maybe I focus more on the human side, at the beginning, and then see how they are playing to help them gain confidence and do the exercises they can do to improve, but what I value is communication, which I think is very important. To know first how the person or the player is and then act.

Emilio: I always say that the good coach is the one who has different types of voice, the one who is able to have a soft voice, medium or even at some point, not more aggressive, but stronger, in the type of order or command he has to give. What type of voice do you like with your students?

Arantxa: Well, I am quite calm, but if I see that they don’t try, then I raise my voice a little bit, but I try to be quite understanding in the sense that well, this is as far as it goes. Then once you go beyond this point, I raise my voice, but I am not one of those who raises my voice very loudly. I consider myself quite, as I say, flexible, although sometimes you also have to tighten up a little bit.

Emilio: Why do you think that in today’s women’s tennis the players are more ephemeral? How many years did you play?

Arantxa: I played for 17 years.

Emilio: 17 years of which 14 or 15 were at the top, among the top 10 in the world, so all the time, right? What advice would you give to today’s players who have talent, ability and physique, so that they become players who stay longer in order to reach more people?

Arantxa: Well, I think every generation is a different world. I had the chance to play with three generations, well, almost four generations. I started with Navratilova, Evert, then with Graf, Seles, Davenport, Sabatini and company, then with Clijsters, Hingins, Henin, the Williams sisters. I competed a little bit with all the players, and I think that each generation is changing…

Emilio: But there were four of them with different styles and characters. So, that’s what people look for: I like this one, I like the other one more aggressive, the one that goes to the net, this one, that one? They are players with more determined characters, but they are all tennis players with 10-15 years of time.

Arantxa: In the end I think that in our generation the regularity was much more constant. It is true that it was much harder and lasting throughout the career and as you said, very, very long careers. Now maybe there are different champions, even different Grand Slam champions, at different times. I think the consistency was much more regular in our generation than now, but the girls today are stronger, more speed, more strength. The thing is that in my generation there was much more variety in the style of play, there were those who played topspin, those who played slice, those who played serve and net, those who played change of heights, those who played flat. Now it’s like there’s a plan: it’s strong, but if it doesn’t go on, they don’t have another plan B. I think that variety of style and all that consistency for so many years, you don’t see it as much now as in our time. I can speak more about my generation than now, but it is true that they are physically stronger. But of course, sometimes if plan A doesn’t work, you don’t have a plan B because there aren’t many who have that variety of play.

Emilio: How would you develop that variety of playing?

Arantxa: It’s not easy because once you are playing…. I think they would have to train more the drop shots or even more variety. But if with one or two sticks, as I say, they enter and they are already happy, they are not going to do it, because they are used to it. I think you have to introduce little by little, but not when there is competition, but more when you are training, because when there is competition you can not. But to introduce little by little in order to improve and then be a little more complete as a player.

Emilio: In the end, with all these changes, with all these situations, women’s tennis has been breaking down many barriers, in terms of presence and results. Women’s tennis is an example for all other sports, in the end it has been possible for some time to take very important steps, in which women have achieved equality in Prize money, equality on television. In the end, tennis is an example and other sports follow it, isn’t it? What do you think is still missing for women’s tennis to take a step further and really be at the same level? Because, although it has the same Prize money in the Grand Slams or in some of the Masters 1000, or now that in Madrid or Rome, who play together in the next tournaments that are in the pyramid of tournaments, the amount of prizes that are in the women’s tournaments is much lower than the men. What do you think they have to do there to be able to increase?

Arantxa: Well, the truth is I think that, as you have said, the sport of tennis is a privileged sport because compared to other sports where there are not equal conditions, Prize Money…

Emilio: …Privileged also because you have fought a lot for that equality, since the time of Billy Jean, with Martina, many changes have been made in the circuit, thanks also to all the players.

Arantxa: Yes, maybe Billie Jean was the pioneer, the first one who initiated the change and since then it has been improving. But what is there to do? It has evolved a lot from how it was at the beginning to now, but there is still a long way to go. I hope and wish that in the future there will be more and more improvements and it will get better and better. But certainly compared to other sports at the level of women, tennis is the one that is more even with men and have economic compensation, that other sports making the same effort, the same training and everything, are not so well compensated. I think we have to keep fighting, we have to keep doing things to try to improve the situation. But I don’t know, you’ll know better, I’m not going to get involved there (laughs). No, no, I don’t know. There are many things that can be done.

Emilio: You are a symbol in our country, because you broke every possible barrier imaginable when you competed at the highest level: in the Olympic Games you have the most medals, you are the one who broke the barrier with the Grand Slams, the one who put tennis in the homes of Spain… This means that in Spain there is an admiration and devotion for you.

Arantxa: Yes, thank God, I feel very loved, I feel I have always connected well with the people, I have had the public, the people always by my side, and even when I had bad moments, they have also been supporting me. I think you either earn it or you don’t, as an athlete I think this is the best recognition you can have, the affection of the public, and I feel very loved both in my country and abroad. I hope it continues for many more years.

Emilio: When people give you that affection and that state, what do you feel at that moment?

Arantxa: Sometimes I get red, sometimes I get goose bumps, the fact that people talk about me makes me happy, it gives me a lot of joy and gratitude, but I am also shy and in that sense I get very, very red. I really appreciate the love and that I have entered so many houses, that people have seen me play and have supported me so much, I have nothing but gratitude.

Emilio: You are not going to say it because in the end you are not one to sell yourself or to show yourself, but I can say it, and I believe in the end everything you have achieved, the legacy you have left for women’s tennis in our country, in the world, because in the end you have been a global player who is number 1 and in many countries you have been recognized for your ability and your way of doing things. But it makes me a little sad that in our country you are not recognized in the way you should be recognized, as the public recognizes you. And that they do not take advantage of you, of your charisma, of who you are and what you have been, of this way of speaking and telling your values and who you have been to be able to reach more people and to be able to get many more of these girls to stay in tennis and to continue teaching that our sport is very powerful. I hope that little by little they will realize it and that now that you are still very young and beautiful, that you can still give many things to further enhance the history and legacy that you have left. Because when you play the way you played, that is a very powerful value. I think that in Spain they don’t know how to take advantage of you as they should and even though you are now in the United States I think they should be smart and take more advantage of who you are and who you have been. Because your story is extremely powerful. At the Academy and me personally, I am super grateful and, when you come, I am even more grateful and I know that the kids always ask, when am I going to play with Arantxa? When you tell them that you are coming, their faces light up, so the more you come, the more you are going to impact all these people and they are going to be super happy.

Arantxa: It is always a pleasure. Besides, this way I see you more often and I also learn a lot coming here and the truth is that I feel at home and I enjoy it a lot, so I will come a lot more.

Emilio: Well, thank you very much for being here with us and for being the first guest of this podcast of the Emilio Sanchez Academy. This is your home and keep fighting with passion.

Arantxa: Congratulations for so many years and may there be many more to come.

Emilio: Well, to finish, as a player of those first 4 or 5 years that we were together, how would you define the Academy in four or five things that stayed with you from your stay at that time? What do you remember about the Academy from those moments?

Arantxa: Humanity, companionship, learning, values, and as I say, struggle. I think that helped me when I played and continues to help me as a person. You never forget that and that is what I try to transmit now even to my children or to the young people who ask me for advice. I hope I can help more girls with that.

Emilio: Thank you very much.

Arantxa: No, thank you too. It’s been many years, brother, I love you very much, you know that. And I’m excited to do these kind of interviews with my brother. Kiss.

Emilio: Thank you.

Por Emilio Sánchez Vicario, CEO en ES Academy y ES Academy Marketing Department.

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Discover Elementary Education at ES American School

Posted on 17 June, 2024

At ES American School, located at the heart of the Emilio Sanchez Academy in Barcelona, we provide an exceptional international education from 1st grade through 12th grade. We are proud to present our new elementary school video, which highlights our unique educational values and pedagogy, narrated by our students, who are the real protagonists. Here are some of the key aspects we offer:

A Green and Safe Environment

Our school is located in the countryside, surrounded by trees and green open spaces, creating a unique and safe natural environment where children can learn, explore and play. This environment encourages natural research and healthy habits.

IB World School

As part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP), our students develop critical skills such as being open-minded and critical thinkers. They learn by doing interesting projects based on their own research questions.

Technological Innovation

We use technology to enhance our work, including the development of robotics skills. Students acquire knowledge in various disciplines through advanced technological tools.

Multiculturalism

With students from all over the world, we enjoy learning about each other’s cultures and traditions. This diversity enriches our community and broadens our students’ global perspective.

Sport as a Coeducational Tool

Sports are an integral part of our daily lives. Many students develop their love of tennis in our incredible sports facilities, which include numerous tennis courts, a gymnasium, padel and basketball courts. We encourage both individual and team activities.

Trilingual Education

Most of our classes are in English, but we also offer daily sessions in Spanish and Catalan. This trilingual education prepares our students for a globalized future.

Personalized Attention

At our school, each student is unique, and from this approach we prioritize personalized attention. We work with small groups to ensure that each student receives the support needed to reach their full potential.

At ES American School, we strive to create an educational experience that not only prepares students academically, but also instills in them core values and skills for success in whatever path they choose.

We invite you to watch our video and discover more about our vibrant learning community!

Por el departamento de marketing de ES Barcelona

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CELEBRATING OUR GRADUATING SENIORS: A JOURNEY OF GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT

Posted on 30 May, 2024

As the academic year draws to a close, we at the Emilio Sanchez Academy are filled with pride and joy as we prepare to celebrate the graduation of our ten remarkable senior student-athletes this Friday. This ceremony marks not only the culmination of their hard work and dedication but also the beginning of exciting new chapters in their lives.

Our seniors have spent years with us, combining rigorous academic pursuits with intensive tennis training. They have grown, both as athletes and individuals, developing their skills, character, and resilience on and off the court. Their journey here has been one of profound transformation, and we are honored to have been a part of their lives.

Meet Our Graduates

Juliette Ceas from the United States

Juliette has been with us since 2022. She has committed to Skidmore College, NY, with plans to participate in the 3/2 program with Dartmouth College, NH. Her journey has been one of outstanding academic and athletic achievement, she is a sweet and bright person, and we are excited to see her thrive in both environments. She got the overall academic award this year for her performance at the school.

Natalia Leroy from Mexico

Natalia has been with us since 2019. She will be joining Wesleyan University, CT. Her dedication and passion for tennis and academics have been evident throughout her time here, and we know she will continue to excel. Her tennis career has been nothing but excellent, she has been successful throughout many tournaments and has made us proud at the ES team.

Zachary Picard from the United States

Zachary has been with us since 2023. He will study at the University of Tampa, FL. His determination and spirit have left a lasting impact on our academy, and we look forward to his future successes. His journey wasn’t as long but he found his place at the ES Academy, and he showed us care and that he is part of the ES family.

Antonio Chàvez from Honduras

Antonio has been with us since 2021. He has committed to Hamilton College, NY. His perseverance and hard work have set a high standard for all of us, always giving his best and beyond on the court and becoming a role model off the court and we are confident he will achieve great things.

Manuel Hernandez from Puerto Rico

Manuel has been with us since 2023. He will attend the University of Saint Joseph, CT. His journey with us has been marked by growth and excellence, and we are proud of all he has accomplished, his strong desire to compete and his character will open many doors.

Evaan Luthra from India

Evaan has been with us since 2023. He is headed to Indiana University of Bloomington, IN. His dedication to both his studies and tennis has been truly inspiring, and we wish him all the best.

Demi Reilly from the United States

Demi has been with us since 2022. He will study at Marquette University, WI. Her passion for learning and the sport has been remarkable shaping her personality into the women she is today, and we are excited to see where her journey takes her.

Ivan Kisic from the United States

Ivan has been with us since 2022. He has committed to Sacred Heart University, CT, to study and play tennis at the NCAA D1 level. His commitment and talent have been exemplary, and we anticipate his continued success.

Julio Onuralp from the United States

Julio has been with us since 2023. He is taking a year gap to explore and grow before committing to his next steps. His curiosity and drive will surely lead him to incredible experiences.

Keerthan Singireddy from the United States

Keerthan has been with us since 2021. He has great plans for his college career attending Emerson College, MA NCAA Division III. His vision and ambition have always shone brightly, and we are eager to see him achieve his goals.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To the parents of our graduates, we extend our deepest gratitude. Thank you for entrusting us with your children, for believing in our program, and for your unwavering support. Your partnership has been invaluable in nurturing these young talents.

Our academy is more than just a place of learning and training; it is a community where personalities are shaped, friendships are forged, and memories are made. Our students leave not only with improved skills but with a stronger sense of self and a lifetime of experiences that will guide them in their future endeavors.

Looking Ahead

As our seniors embark on their new journeys, we are filled with hope and excitement for their futures. They leave behind a legacy of hard work, perseverance, and excellence. Wherever they go, they carry with them the lessons learned, the friendships made, and the spirit of the Emilio Sanchez Academy.

We wish them all the success in the world and look forward to hearing about their future achievements. Congratulations to the class of 2024—you have made us all incredibly proud.

As we come together this Friday, we honor our student-athletes’ achievements and send them off with our best wishes for the bright futures that await them. We close a chapter in our yearbook of student-athletes but open our doors for this great class of 2024 to become our alumni and return to us anytime.

By the marketing department of the ES Florida

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Grigor Dimitrov: Tennis helps you build not only character, but discipline.

Posted on 10 May, 2024

Grigor Dimitrov player Emilio Sanchez Academy

In the world of tennis, few stories are as captivating as the journey of Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian player arrived at Emilio Sanchez Academy in 2007 to train during 2 seasons. Under the guidance of coaches Pato Alvarez and Emilio Sanchez Vicario, Dimitrov’s talent began to blossom and his unique style predicted he would go far.

During his stay at Emilio Sanchez Academy Dimitrov’s meteoric rise was marked by remarkable achievements. In 2008, he clinched two Junior Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, ascending to the coveted position of Junior World No. 1. With a resolute decision, he bid farewell to the junior circuit, setting his sights on the professional arena.

Under the tutelage of Dani Vallverdú, another student-athlete of the ES Academy, Dimitrov’s journey continued to evolve. Embarking on a career spanning over 15 years on the ATP tour, today Dimitrov is experiencing a resurgence in his game. In 2024 alone, he secured the prestigious Australian Open title and clinched the runner-up position in both the Miami Open and the Open 13 Provence, reaffirming his status as a formidable player in men’s tennis.

With a career-high ranking of No. 3 and currently holding the 10th position in the ATP rankings, Dimitrov’s legacy is one of resilience and determination. At the recent Mutua Madrid Open, Dimitrov crossed paths with his former mentor, Emilio Sanchez Vicario, sparking reflective conversations about his tennis journey and the profound impact of that sport on his life.

In an exclusive audio interview, Dimitrov delves into his insights, sharing thoughts on his enduring passion for tennis and the lessons learned throughout his tennis career.

Read the interview transcript here and listen to the full interview at the video-podcast below:

ES: Grigor, thank you so much for taking this time here in Madrid to speak with me about your time at the Emilio Sanchez Academy. What memories do you have from those times?

GD: I talk about my time at the academy quite often. I think it was very important for me and I think the help that I got there in my early development was vital. I come from Bulgaria, a country with not much heritage on that end, only in the women’s area. I view my decision to join an academy as pivotal and you guys were so kind to accommodate me. As you remember, I was a wild kid back then. Funny enough, I think that I needed to go through that during those years. Now when I look back, I will not trade them for anything because of all the experiences I had.

Certainly, when it comes to my performance on the court and the effort I’ve invested, I never shy away. I always knew that I could play tennis and do other things at the same time. But for some reason, I was always able to come back to my basics and that was to play the game. Even though I was not focusing on my work at times, there were a lot of things that inspired me at ES Academy, like being at a tennis academy with different players and interacting with different cultures. Therefore, I would never change those years, they were one of the best years of my life. And I think also that the experience I had shaped me and helped me not only to play better tennis, but to understand myself and go through experiences that shaped me at an early age. Therefore, to some extent, I also feel very lucky. It was a very special time for me.

ES: Were you together with Daniel Vallverdú at the time?

GD: No, I missed him by a couple of years. But I still had so many good quality players to play with. I also had a lot of friends who were at the Academy at the same time, as well as some WTA players. I even served as a sparring partner, which, once again, helped me in adapting to varied ball trajectories. Just the diversity of what I was able to do, it was something that helped my game from a very different perspective. I knew how my game was and how I could develop it. Could I have been a bit more disciplined with certain things? Certainly. But at the same time, the experience that I gathered from every other area was even more vital to me.

ES: If you had to give some advice to someone else about that experience of going away from home and staying in a different environment to improve, what would you recommend to them?

GD: I always say it’s a choice. I think I left my home at 14, but I never felt I sacrificed anything. I didn’t have many other options anyway. However, I never felt the need to do something else or to explore something different because I knew I had my mindset on the sport itself. And the dream was there.

ES: You always had this great talent and amazing style, that lead everybody to compare you with the top players from a very early stage. What would you tell a kid who has a talent, what is the most important thing to go through?

GR: Never shy away from work. I think whatever else I was doing, I never shied away. Cutting corners was never an option for me. Even now when I look back, I might have done so many other things outside of the sport. However, whenever it was time to focus, I consistently prioritized completing the task at hand, whether it was finishing a basket, completing a practice session, or finishing my work. And I think that along the way you also build not only your character, but your discipline. You cannot be like 14 or 15 and be completely disciplined yet. It comes with time.

ES: How much does tennis help you to deal with other issues in life?

GD: Actually, I’ve said recently in quite a few interviews, that tennis saved my life in a couple of moments. I’ve been close to finishing my career a couple of times and I’m not afraid or shy to say it. I had big dips, huge dips in my career when I just thought that nothing could ever take me out of that. But guess what? Tennis was there for me. And it will always be there. Whether I win or lose. That’s the sport. That’s the pillar that has given me everything, from my life, to discipline, to meeting people, to being in a tennis academy, to meeting different cultures to finance. And of course, last but not least, it all comes down from you.

ES: We always talk about the different pillars in tennis, technical, tactical, physical, mental. For you, what is the most important pillar? And which one helps you the most to be resilient or fight adversity?

GD: I think calmness. As a player you know the feeling when you’re able to slow down your heart rate at any given time during the match, that gives you a tremendous amount of confidence and makes you believe. And all that happens behind the scenes. I think when you come to play in a tournament like this one, you come to compete. You’re not here to, you know, to do baskets or to try something else or to invent something. And everything happens behind it. It starts with your nutrition, with the way you sleep, the way you practice. And I always say the more you bleed during peaceful time, the less you bleed when you start competing. That’s just how it is. And of course, there’s moments when you’re going to struggle in tournaments and places and that’s when you need to stick to your deep core.

ES: Nowadays everybody talks today about mental issues. As tennis players, we are always on the edge. We always talk in the matches because someone in front of us is bothered. And we always talk about ourselves a lot. How is your conversation with yourself in the difficult moments, and how do you come out in 25 seconds from a bad state to a good state?

GD: I it’s it’s tough, it’s a real thing. Mental toughness is, I would say, one of the most trickiest and one of the most difficult things to do. In our sport, we have a next point. That’s just how it is. And then you need to think as fast as you can brush it off, I think that is the easiest thing. Of course, you get stuck in some moments, but let them in. Don’t fight them. I always say whatever comes, don’t fight it. I think the more you try to fight it, the more you’re going to hit a wall. It’s not easy. But all that comes with your experience, with the way you’ve dealt with big losses and big wins. At times, I often remember more of my big losses than the big wins, because this is where you think next time what to do better, what to work on. It’s some sort of a barrier that comes through and it’s about tenacity at the same time. If you don’t try it, you’ll never know. Tennis is not a sprint. I’ve been 15 years on tour now and I think it’s more of a marathon than anything else. You’re going to have your good moments and you’re going to have your bad moments. Nothing is ever that good or that bad. If you manage to find a balance and you feel a little bit more comfortable in your skin, anything on the court won’t really bother you. But it’s a combined work on and off the court.

ES: You’ve mentioned that you have struggled at some moments in your life. What are the positives that made you come out of them? What helped you get out of those situations?

GD: The basics: family, friends. I think these are the most vital things in life. If you think about it, tennis is such a little period of our lives. I always say that because I’m realizing it more and more every year. I’m getting closer to the end than I was at the beginning. But you can still see and understand the two ends. And I also think that you need to be able to see the two sides of the coin. When I was struggling, I always leaned into my discipline. That’s it. I leaned on the hard work and, and I kept believing that it would eventually come back. Tennis is a sport where it doesn’t matter if you have two amazing weeks of practice. You could end up losing five tournaments in a row in the first round.

ES: You’ve had two seasons with Daniel Vallverdú. The first, when you did well and won the Masters. (Daniel was also a student for years at the ES Academy. He’s also going to be the topic of one of our 25 success stories because he has made the transition from tennis player to tournament director, etc.) Then you stopped working with him and later decided to team up again. How important has Daniel been in this process of coming back?

GD: He’s been vital in very different moments throughout my career. But of course, for us, it was not only that. Our friendship was more important than anything else. Everyone has fights, everyone finds their own reasons for things and at a certain moment we both needed some time apart. Now somehow, it’s a new beginning. We’ve also had to find a different way to work things out, so we don’t repeat the same mistakes. Plus, we’ve added Jamie Delgado, my fitness coach for so many years. I think it’s good to have that perspective.

ES: To have different voices is good for your motivation?

GD: I think so but also when you’re so many years on the tour you cannot be too linear, you need to have a diversity of work that helps you to keep fresh and improve, to find new goals, to be more excited to go at it every day. Of course, no one wakes up every day thinking I’m very excited to go do whatever it is that you do. We all have our moments due to the way we deal with situations. However, more and more I’ve paid attention to whom I’m having next to me. The selection of people around me has been very meticulous just because I’m very protective of my own energy and at the same time I want to make sure that when I’m going out there, I’m 100% ready. I don’t know how much time I have left to keep doing what I do, but I want to make sure that every time I’m out there I’m ready.

ES: You’ve now reached a certain age, but it seems like you are ascending like a young player climbing up because your level has improved a lot lately. Do you think that this can be the best moment of your career, due to the way you’re playing and the way you’re putting things together? Because that’s the ultimate goal, right?

GD: Of course, but to me at the same time it’s also important to enjoy my journey as well as to enjoy it with the people I’m with. The destination angle for sure is going to be the best thing, but also to look back and know that I tried everything possible and that I did it my way, that I did everything possible to invest myself into it. Honestly to me this is a priceless thing. I don’t know if I’m going be thinking like this one day when I’m retired and I look back, but for now I’m treating the wins and losses kind of in the same way. When I’m having good tournaments it’s when I’m very appreciative and thankful, but also when I’m having losses like last week from two match points, I’m like, OK, it was meant to happen that way. Sometimes a door closes but a huge window opens, so you never know.

ES: Can you mention three words about our Tennis Academy? Whatever comes first to your mind.

GD: Experience, hard work and hustle.

ES: Thank you so much Grigor, you’re the best. Good luck and thank you.

By Emilio Sánchez Vicario, ES Academy CEO and Susana Zaragoza Añón, ES Academy Marketing Department.

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