Doble Cero
Translated by Sabrina
© Doble Cero
Interview with Tommy 7 March, 2007
His father named him after the mythical “The Who” album. But for him his guitar is a racket. That racket has given him many fulfilling moments and has made him one of the best tennis players of the world. In 2007, without doubt, he will be confirmed as a worldwide star. In August don’t look for him on some deserted island, he always goes home to his native Olot, in Gerona, with his family and friends.
Perhaps he is not as well known as other players on circuit, but this is because Tommy Robredo is a timid person. One who has always stayed out of the limelight because he admits to having some trouble relating to people he doesn’t know. (“Being able to play before 10,000 people doesn’t mean that asking a girl in person to ‘have a drink together’, is any less difficult”, he admits.) Even at the beginning of this interview he is just a little bit sparing with words. But as our conversation advances, in one of the dressing rooms of the Centro de Alte Rendimiento (C.A.R.) of Sant Cugat del Valles in Barcelona, that simple, amiable and familiar character starts to shine through. Mainly because it’s almost like being at home for him. From the age of 14, C.A.R. has been the place where he has learned to enjoy tennis, improving day by day. And with that constant, but quiet work, by public opinion, he has confirmed himself one of the best tennis players of the world. When the season ended he finished number seven of the ATP classification. That allowed him to play the Masters at Shanghai, an experience within reach of very few. “It was something very pretty, incredible and unique. It is worth the trouble of having trained all my life in order to have an experience like that”, affirms Robredo. This year, he’ll try to do it again and prove 2006 was not just a lucky year, but the definitive arrival of one of the best sportsmen at the moment in our country.
The Preparation
Q: Last year you had great results, this year you will have to obtain a lot of points to maintain your position in the rankings. What are your objectives?
A: I do not think much about maintaining the points, because in the end you obtain them in one match or another. The important thing is, when the season finishes, to have the ranking that I have now and to be able to compete again in the Masters at Shanghai.
Q: You decided not to play the Davis Cup elimination round in Switzerland
so you could concentrate on your preparation for the beginning of the season.
Is it difficult to make such a decision?
A: It is difficult to say no to something that you want, that’s for sure, because I like playing very much. Sometimes it is better to do it if you think a break is necessary, but it’s also difficult to miss out on Marseilles or other tournaments. You have to think of yourself at the appropriate time so as not to force the machine too much at the beginning of the year. Luckily, they won and I’ve told them next time I’ll be available if they want to call on me.
Q: What would be a success and what would be a failure this season?
A: A failure is always not to enjoy that which you are doing. I wouldn’t consider finishing 50th of the world as such if I gave it my all. I have chosen tennis, I’m lucky that I’m good at it, I can enjoy it and make a living of it. Winning or losing matches is gaining more or less success but not a failure. In the end, I will play the next week and I could lose the first day or win the tournament, but it is my work.
Q: Is Roland Garros an objective?
A: Yes, but I have different objectives every week. When I arrive at a tournament I want to beat the rival and play the following day. I want things to go smoothly and in the end the results will be there. It is clear that Roland Garros is more exciting, but it doesn’t obsess me.
The Evidence
For the Spanish tennis players it is a bad time to try to reach number one of the world. Mainly because of a certain Roger Federer, a sportsman only one year older than Robredo, is on the verge of becoming the best tennis player of all time, surpassing even Pete Sampras.
Q: Are you envious of a player like Federer?
A: In a team sport they can rely on the decisions of a trainer,
but in tennis the ones that are at number one or two of the world are there
because they deserve it. Do I envy Federer? Lets hope I can be better, that’s
what we’re working for.
Q: What do you need to improve to climb higher in the ranking?
A: It’s always possible to be improved in any aspect, but, overall, I have to work on my net game. In a match I can advance, but I can’t finish the point. I have already improved my serve but I have to work even more on it.
Q: The sport is a very good advertising weapon, but with passage of
time, does it become a relationship of confidence or is it detested for the
numerous commitments to which you’re bound?
A: When you sign with a brand you are not forced to do anything. If you do it is because you identify with it, like I do now with the TW Steel watches. The truth is that I like the watches and they have made an effort in preparing one for me to play in, smaller, with more comfortable rubber straps. I am very pleased, because they will publish an advertisement with my name and they have offered to help me in every way that they can.
Q: How can they help in the career of a sportsman?
A: Mainly, to make sure that you’re better known, but
they can’t help me win more points. It is good that more interviews are
to be seen, because I have always preferred to stay on the sidelines. Lately
I have dedicated myself to doing more things, interviews, not for me, but for
the fans that follow me. People are able to go mad for you. It’s worth
it to dedicate a moment of your time to them, to post a photo or a note on my
website, since they are following your career without anything in return.
There are scans of the article (in Spanish) in the gallery: page 1, page 2 (there is one page missing).