Spanish tennis loses a great on the circuit, now relegated to position 343 in the ATP ranking at 39 years old, previously a member who became top-5 in the world and won three Davis Cups with the Spanish navy in 2004, 2008 and 2009. Tommy Robredo will leave him in what was his home since he was 14 years old, the Real Club Tenis de Barcelona, in the celebration of the Open Banc Sabadell this coming April. “I could have left it last year, but I wanted to do it with the public, with my family, my parents, my wife or my daughter”explained the tennis player from Holstalrich.
Robredo participated in the Vilarnau sponsorship agreement as sponsor of Godó for the next four seasons. He recalled childhood moments of him playing tennis on a makeshift clay court alongside David Ferrer, now tournament director: “As children you beat me 6-0 and 6-0. Those defeats are not forgotten”confesses the man from Alicante, who also dedicated some heartfelt words to Robredo.
“It’s a combination of circumstances. Physically I wasn’t there anymore, mentally I wasn’t either, and I’m also losing my ranking. When you lose, it’s natural, but I had accepted it. I play because I love it”Robredo commented to AS, who has recognized that the turning point has been the birth of his daughter Alexia: “I would leave it when you had other motivations, and now I have them,” he stressed.
The tennis player acknowledges that his peak came in the 2006 and 2007 seasons, when he fought in the top-ten, although “with the experience and knowledge of now, I would change many things I did,” he stressed.or, although it is clear that “I have given one hundred percent and I remain calm”. “I have taken great care of myself. Now we have physiotherapists, doctors, psychologists… I knew how to avoid injuries, work and that is why I have been able to continue for many years”, valued Robredo who hopes to be able to say goodbye on the central court of the Godó, where he began to dream of a brilliant career that he defines as follows: “I am privileged. They gave us a racket and we have lived from this”. And he defines himself as “I am a warrior from before”.