Big-4

Posted on 1 August, 2025

By Pep Plasín, Head of girls’ area at ES Academy

How Lucky We Were to Witness the Big 4 Era

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. What a privilege it was to witness, live and in real time, this unrepeatable era of professional tennis. Each of them embodies one of the four fundamental pillars of the ES Academy: Federer represents the technical pillar with his elegance and precision; Murray, the tactical pillar for his competitive intelligence; Djokovic, the physical pillar for his endurance and flexibility; and Nadal, the mental pillar for his strength, tenacity, and relentless mindset.

Djokovic, still active, is on track to break every record imaginable and become the true 360º player: the most complete, the longest-lasting, and the most successful of all time.

It’s also worth noting that Andy Murray trained at the ES Academy, where he began developing many of the skills that later took him to the top.

Here’s a reflection on why this was one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of global tennis:

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. What a privilege it was to witness this once-in-a-lifetime era in professional tennis—not just for their level of play, but for everything they stood for on and off the court.

Here’s a reflection on why this was one of the most extraordinary chapters in tennis history:

Unmatched technical, physical, and mental level

Each of them elevated tennis to a whole new dimension of high performance:

Federer: elegance, precision, creativity. He turned tennis into an art form.
Nadal: grit, power, relentless fighting spirit. The tireless gladiator.
Djokovic: flexibility, mental toughness, constant evolution.
Murray: tactical intelligence, defense, competitive heart.

Never before had we seen such sustained rivalry between four players with such contrasting, yet equally deadly styles. A masterclass in elite-level international tennis.

Total dominance of the major tournaments

Together, they claimed 66 Grand Slam titles (as of 2024) and over 250 ATP titles. They held firm in the top 5 for more than 15 years, dominating the men’s circuit with unmatched consistency.

This created one of the most demanding and competitive eras in modern tennis. Winning a Grand Slam tournament usually meant defeating at least two of them—an almost impossible feat.

Inspiration on and off the court

Beyond pure sport:

Federer: global icon, ambassador of tennis.
Nadal: model of humility and sportsmanship.
Djokovic: resilient, polarizing, always pushing boundaries.
Murray: champion of equality and justice in sport.

Each left a deep and unique legacy that shaped fans and future tennis players alike.

Historic rivalries

Federer vs Nadal: grace vs grit. Wimbledon 2008 is legendary.
Djokovic vs Nadal: the longest and most even rivalry.
Murray vs Djokovic: junior friends, epic final foes.
Federer vs Djokovic: technique vs cold-blooded competitiveness. Intense mental battles.

These rivalries made every match feel like a global event. They weren’t just matches; they were chapters in tennis history.

A gift for tennis fans

Few generations have had the luck to see four living legends competing at the same time—pushing one another, reaching new heights, redefining the limits of the sport.

“We didn’t know we were living in the golden era… until it started coming to an end.”

What now?

Although three have already retired and only Djokovic remains active, their legacy lives on through:

A new wave of talent (Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune) who grew up watching them.
The values they instilled as icons of elite tennis.
The millions of fans they inspired around the globe.

Photos by: Pixabay | Wikipedia Commons | ATP Tour | Head

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Surface Differences in Tennis

Posted on 30 June, 2025

By Pep Plasín, Head of girls’ area at ES Academy

The bounce of the ball and the height at which it is struck play a crucial role in shaping a player’s style of play. These factors determine not only how the game unfolds tactically, but also how comfortable or effective a player may be on a given surface.

While some players adapt more swiftly than others, the transition from clay to grass in just two weeks remains one of the most radical and demanding changes in the professional calendar. Clay requires physical and tactical adjustments that are very different from those used on natural grass.

That said, modern tennis has evolved towards a more universal style. Today’s players tend to maintain a similar playing pattern across all surfaces, whether on clay, grass or hard court. The traditional surface-specific specialists have become increasingly rare, and even on slower or faster surfaces, most professionals continue to apply the aggressive baselines strategies typical of hard-court play.

In this article, we’ll break down how the surface affects the bounce, and how that, in turn, shapes movement, timing, and tactics throughout the match.

Clay Courts

Material: Crushed brick or red clay (like at Roland Garros).
Bounce: High and slow.
Game speed: Slow.
Physical strain: High (long rallies).
Advantages:
- Favors players with strong endurance and solid defense.
- Provides more time to react to shots.
Disadvantages:
- Makes powerful serves and net play less effective.
Dominant style: Baseline rallies with heavy topspin.
Specialists: Rafael Nadal, Gustavo Kuerten.
ATP Tournaments: 34% (Roland Garros)

Hard Courts (Cement or Acrylic)

Material: Concrete or asphalt with an acrylic coating.
Bounce: Medium-high and predictable.
Game speed: Medium (can vary by surface type).
Physical strain: Moderate to high (impact on joints).
Advantages:
- Balances offense and defense.
- Suitable for all-around playing styles.
Disadvantages:
- Can be tough on the joints over time.
Dominant style: Versatile, all-court play.
ATP Tournaments: 54% (US Open, Australian Open.)

Grass Courts (Natural Grass)

Material: Short-cut grass over a soil base.
Bounce: Low and unpredictable.
Game speed: Very fast.
Physical strain: Low, but technically demanding.
Advantages:
- Favors powerful serves and volleying.
- Short points.
Disadvantages:
- Slippery and unstable surface.
- Challenging for defensive players.
Dominant style: Serve-and-volley, aggressive play.
Specialists: Roger Federer, Pete Sampras.
ATP Tournaments: 12% (Wimbledon)

Other (Less Common) Surfaces

Carpet: Very fast indoor surface, now rarely used in ATP/WTA events.
Green Clay (Har-Tru): A faster and harder variation of European red clay, commonly used in the U.S.

Quick Comparison Chart

Surface	Speed	Bounce	Physical Strain	Favored Style
Clay	Slow	High	High	Defense, topspin
Hard	Medium	Medium	Medium-High	All-around game
Grass	Fast	Low	Low	Attack, serve-and-volley

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Boost Your Footwork: The Hidden Key to Competitive Tennis

Posted on 4 June, 2025

By Pep Plasín, Head of girls’ area at ES Academy

In modern tennis, where every second counts and each move can mean the difference between winning or losing a point, mastering footwork has become a pillar of high-level performance. It’s no coincidence that elite tennis schools like Emilio Sánchez Academy, based in vibrant Barcelona, make this a daily priority in the development of young players.

The Art of Purposeful Movement
Being fast is not enough. A truly effective player moves with intelligence, balance, and precision. Every step and directional change is designed to position the player perfectly for the next shot. Footwork in tennis is, essentially, the engine that enables anticipation, recovery, and accuracy.

At top tennis schools in Spain, such as Emilio Sánchez Academy, this component is trained holistically: technique, strength, agility, coordination, and decision-making come together in the daily routine of future champions.

Fundamental Movements Every Player Should Master
Before diving into physical drills, it’s crucial to understand the essential movements repeatedly used during matches:

Split Step: A small jump just before the opponent strikes the ball. It activates the body and prepares for any directional response.
Adjustment Steps: Short, quick, precise movements to get in perfect position for hitting.
Lateral and Crossover Steps: Allow efficient side-to-side coverage without losing orientation.
Short Sprints and Pivoting: Crucial for reaching wide balls and changing direction fast.
Center Recovery: Returning to the ideal court position after each shot is as important as the shot itself.

Training for Movement: Exercises That Make a Difference
At Emilio Sánchez Academy, physical conditioning includes drills that simulate real match scenarios. Below are routines proven to significantly improve footwork:

Agility, Speed, and Reaction

Agility Ladder: Great for foot speed, balance, and neuromuscular control.
Cone Drills in T, Y or diamond shapes: Replicate real court movement and improve spatial control.
Figure-eight jumps, shuttle runs, and reaction drills: Sharpen reflexes for unexpected situations during a match.

Explosive Strength and Stability

Jump Squats and Plyometric Lunges: Build leg strength and improve take-off power.
Box Jumps: Enhance explosive ability and shock absorption.
Jump Rope, Skipping, and Butt Kicks: Activate key muscles and improve endurance.

On-Court Drills with Ball

Approach and volley drills: Train speed toward the net and lateral mobility.
Crosscourt and down-the-line hitting: Demand constant side-to-side and forward/back movement.
Recovery and ball pickup drills: Simulate match scenarios and emphasize post-shot positioning.

Beyond the Legs: What Makes Mobility Truly Effective
Great footwork is more than strong legs. It also requires solid technique and game understanding:

Consistent split step and staying on the balls of your feet: Reduce reaction time.
Balanced, stable posture: Allows quick direction changes without losing control.
Reading the opponent and anticipating shots: Save time and energy.
Core strength and cardiovascular endurance: Ensure precise and sustained movement throughout matches.
Flexibility and recovery: Regular stretching is key to injury prevention and full range of motion.

A Routine That Transforms Players
At Emilio Sánchez Academy, all of these elements are combined into complete, structured training sessions. A typical session may include:

Dynamic warm-up (10–15 min): mobility work, skipping, lunges with rotation.
Agility drills (20–30 min): ladder work, cone drills, jump rope.
Strength and power training (20–30 min): jump exercises, lunges, calf raises.
On-court ball drills (30–45 min): directional movement, hitting, recovery.
Cool-down and stretching (10–15 min): focusing on legs and core.

The secret lies in consistency and variety. Mixing up rhythms, exercises, and sequences keeps the body alert and avoids stagnation.

Conclusion
Well-developed footwork doesn’t just enhance technique—it builds confidence, prevents injuries, and prepares young athletes to compete at a high level. At tennis academies like Emilio Sánchez Academy in Barcelona, movement is treated as a science—one that makes the difference between a promising player and a real competitor. The court is unforgiving, but a well-prepared body always answers. And it all starts… from the ground up.

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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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Los Juegos Olímpicos y las distintas maneras de vivirlos

Posted on 19 August, 2024

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

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

Apenas con 7 años empezó mi andadura como nadador. Al llegar mis padres a Barcelona, ya desde el principio me di cuenta de la dificultad y el sacrificio necesario para poder destacarse en este deporte, recuerdo que me despertaba por las noches soñando con la línea de la piscina en los entrenos. Enseguida empecé a hacer mis pinitos en el cole con el futbol, y a los 8 años cogí por primera vez la raqueta de tenis jugando un día a la semana. Como veis tenía la semana llena haciendo deporte, dos días futbol, dos natación y uno de tenis. Cada año fui sustituyendo la natación por más tenis, y al final cerca de los 12 años dejé también el futbol, ya que eso de depender de que a un entrenador le gustes, no me llenaba. No obstante, empezó mi admiración por los deportes de todo tipo.

Así que, aunque en el tenis no ganaba mucho, decidí dejar el resto de los deportes. Ahora, mirando atrás, el haber empezado con natación, pasar a un deporte de equipo, el futbol y luego terminar en un deporte más técnico, el tenis, me ayudo un montón en mi desarrollo, pero sobre todo cada uno de ellos me ayudaron a amar el deporte. Qué mejor que los Juegos para juntar todos esos sueños e ilusiones. Había una dificultad, sabía que el tenis no era olímpico, aunque hablaban de que querían incluirlo.

Y así fué. En Los Ángeles 1984, el tenis fue sub-23 y de exhibición, me seleccionaron y aunque me fue fatal, tenía solo 19 anos, me enamoré locamente de los JJOO. Ir a ver un partido de básquet o ver a Abascal ganar sus medallas fue brutal, pero el recuerdo más increíble fue el de ver a Mary Lou Retton ganar el oro con un perfecto 10, la ovación de 10 minutos del estadio emocionado, llorando de alegría por la gesta me tocó. Otro recuerdo brutal fue la camaradería en la clausura, entre Moracho y otros atletas intentamos hacer una torre humana, y aunque se unieron algunos de otros países, no lo conseguimos.

4 años después en Seúl, llegamos ya siendo profesionales de verdad, y rompimos todos los pronósticos ganándo a parejas increíbles, metiéndonos en la final y perdiéndola de forma épica 9-70 en el quinto set. Ganamos la medalla de plata, y no nos dimos cuenta de la magnitud de los Juegos hasta la llegada a Barcelona donde nos estaban esperando casi mil personas en aeropuerto. Los sueños se cumplían, no solo por participar sino por ganar la primera medalla de tenis. Fué como el noviazgo perfecto.

El efecto global de la Olimpiada, si además conseguías ganar una medalla, multiplicaba horizontes que el tenis por sí solo ni se podía imaginar. Los Juegos Olímpicos son el evento mediático más potente del deporte, y las televisiones lo hacen suyo para llevarlo a todos los rincones de sus países.

¿Qué más podía pedir? La próxima olimpiada seria en Barcelona. Los tenistas no estábamos acostumbrados a eso de competir una semana cada 4 años, nosotros somos trotamundos que jugamos 40 semanas al año y que en el epicentro de tu carrera se hagan unos juegos en tu país, en tu ciudad, es como la oportunidad de tu vida de jugar ante los tuyos en un evento global. Mis expectativas eran altísimas tanto en individual como en dobles. Pero al llegar a cuartos y jugar por la medalla, después de ganar a gente top, se me escaparon los dos a 5 sets, con Rosset en singles y con Becker Stich en dobles, luego ambos se llevaron el oro mágico, y me quede con mis diplomas, mi decepción y una tristeza interior que no me quite nunca más. Había perdido mi gran oportunidad de casarme con los juegos, de tocar la gloria en tu propia casa. La verdad que perdí un montón la motivación.

Seguí jugando, pero ya nunca fue lo mismo, mi rendimiento había bajado sobre todo en individuales, y llegaban los juegos de Atlanta 96, el reglamento solo dejaba a cinco jugadores por país, 4 de individuales y uno en dobles, si de la pareja ninguno se clasificaba en individuales esos primeros años no dejaban llevar a 2 de dobles. ¿Como podíamos hacer? Santana nos prometió que si ayudábamos al equipo en Davis me llevaría a la Olimpiada. Serian mis cuartos juegos, aunque solo de dobles quería llegar a ese récord, pero un mes antes de los mismos el capitán me reunió en Roma y me dijo que no me llevaba. Se me cayó el mundo encima, los juegos por circunstancias ajenas se alejaban, como cuando el coach te dejaba en el banquillo, mi sensación de abandono con los juegos me dolió en el alma, no sabéis cuánto eché de menos a Sergio en ese 1996 porque se había retirado, pero tampoco hubiésemos podido ir como pareja por las reglas olímpicas.

Creo que siempre he tenido suerte, o la he buscado, pero la verdad es que la vida sigue dándote oportunidades. En el 97 con un problema neurológico en el hombro, mi doctor me dio casi 10 meses de recuperación si me operaba, y la verdad es que mentalmente ya no era tan competitivo, así que jugué algunos torneos por invitación. En ese momento mi hermana Arantxa me propone ayudarla como coach, está en una crisis y confía en mi para salir de ella. Y al final acepto, trabajo durísimo, pero después de un año y medio gana en París otra vez en el 98, y yo cierro el acuerdo para empezar mi Academia de tenis, llega rápido el 2000 y voy con ella de coach personal a Sídney. La verdad que esta oportunidad era mejor no haberla vivido, como coach personal sin ir en el equipo nacional apenas puedes ir a ver partidos, tampoco acceso a entrenos y menos a zonas de atletas. Además, no nos fue tan bien, y perdimos antes de las medallas. Fue una Olimpiada para olvidar como coach personal.

En 2004 TVE me ofrece la posibilidad de hacer de comentarista en la Copa Davis y en los Juegos Olímpicos, eso me permite ver los toros desde la barrera, hablando de lo que me gusta y verlo como periodista. La verdad es que vaya lujo, con esa acreditación accedes a todos los venues sin restricciones y puedes de veras vivir la Olimpiada desde dentro.

El tiempo pasa y en 2006 tomo las riendas del equipo de Copa Davis, en 2008 me permite ser el jefe de expedición del tenis, además contando con un Rafa que viene de ganar en Roland Garros y Wimbledon a un Roger y consiguiendo ser el número 1. En un momento dudaron de ir a China, era un gran esfuerzo, pero tuve que usar todos mis argumentos de la globalidad de los juegos y todo lo que viví en 1988 para convencerles. Estaba exhausto, pero encontró el camino para ganarle a Djokovic en el partido épico en semis y Rafa y España se llevaron el oro en Pekín 2008. Esa olimpiada fue brutal, los chinos pararon la lluvia para la inauguración, lo que sudamos ese día fue inhumano, luego hacían llover cuando querían, convivir en la villa con atletas como responsable tenía sus challenges si nos comparábamos con otros deportes. Vivi y Anabel se llevaron una plata sentida e inesperada, lo dieron todo y tuvieron premio.

Esa fue mi última Olimpiada desde dentro, como veis casi todas fueron diferentes, lo que sí sé es que cada año cuando llegan los JJOO, si enciendo a TV me cuesta mucho alejarme, los Juegos siguen teniendo esa magia. Los atletas de la más de 30 especialidades son gente especial, en algunos deportes han estado 4 años entrenando para esa carrera, o esa lucha, o partido, o contrarreloj. La verdad que se merecen todo lo que les dan e incluso deberían recibir más.

En estos últimos Juegos la competitividad es cada vez más y más igualada, vaya carrera de 100 metros tuvimos, todos por debajo de 10 segundos, una locura. El tenis ha tenido una final épica con dos medallas para España, el deporte que desde el 98 siempre tuvo medallas, al menos una. Un éxito.

Aún sigo pegado a la TV. Y viendo esto me doy cuenta de que la próxima cita marcará los 40 años desde mi medalla, y será en Los Ángeles. Debo encontrar la manera de ir, intentaré ir de invitado para poder de verlo disfrutarlo. Empiezo a soñar otra vez, veremos si puedo estar ahí y vivirlos de la única forma en la que aún no los he disfrutado.

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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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