Buenos dias from Madrid, Spain! After a 3hr high-speed train from Barcelona across the scenic countryside, I’m near the heart of the Spanish capitol city about to begin another red clay tournament adventure. Last week’s futures event at the Sanchez Casal Academy in Barcelona ended in disappointment and no points but refreshed and playing better, I’m excited for the altitude conditions and a touch of indoor awnings here in Madrid.
Let’s start with the red clay. It’s everywhere. Covering my socks, getting all over my rackets, and staining my shorts. But I’m not bothered by it much because that means I’m really getting down and dirty on this fun surface learning what it takes to be successful on it.
For those of you curious about what makes a great tennis player, I recommend a visit to some Spanish tournaments and academies (like the Portas Puentes Academy I’ve been training at). Besides the overwhelming differences in training attitudes the Spanish coaches deliver to their students, I want you to think about the geography of the country, the relative popularity of the sport, and the fact you are able to hit more tennis balls in a shorter amount of time when it comes to player development. With a tournament going on everyday of the year in Spain, it’s a no brainer they keep producing top ten players every decade.
I’m lucky to be here thanks to my sponsors at Solinco and 10sballs.com. As I prepare myself mentally for every match, I gain more and more confidence with each one under my belt and devote myself to making every point count. The red clay becomes a part of you, signifying your fighting spirit and determination, beckoning you to run down every ball with a graceful slide and a “Vamos!” under your breath every chance you get.
Topics: 10sballs.com, Shubert, Tennis, Tennis News