Feliciano Lopez in Tenerife: "Not easy for me to play against the Young Guys"
40 years old and not a bit tired: Feliciano Lopez (ATP No. 104) is still an integral part of the tennis circuit. This week he will serve at the ATP Challenger tournament in Tenerife.
by Florian Heer from Tenerife
last edit:
Nov 05, 2021, 07:36 am
The Spaniard holds a remarkable record: since the beginning of the Open era, no other player has contested as many Grand Slam tournaments in a row as Lopez. He has not missed a major since the 2002 French Open. A total of 78 in series.
Lopez would also like to be at the start at the Australian Open 2022. In order to secure a firm starting place in the main field, the number 104 in the world rankings has to add a few points. In return, Lopez is now accepting the detour via the ATP Challenger Tour. This is what happened this season at the home tournaments in Segovia and Alicante, as well as this week at the Tenerife Challenger.
With a wildcard, Lopez is number 2 on the seed list of the first event on the largest Canary Island since 2009. After victories over the Czech youngster Dalibor Svrcina and Frederico Ferreira Silva from Portugal, the left-hander is in the quarter-finals of the hard court tournament.
Looking for rhythm
Lopez was not always in top form, but the old class of the seven-time ATP Tour champion often flashes. Fast rubbers, serve and volley, that is the world of the veteran. However, the service winner and the ace are often followed by a double mistake. Lopez's matches are sometimes a roller coaster ride of emotions.
"It's not easy for me to compete against the Young Guys because I don't know what to expect," admitted Lopez after a hard-fought first-round success in three sets over the 20-year-old Svrcina. “That's a handicap, but I try to find my game and get rhythm. However, I haven't really felt comfortable on the pitch yet. I wasn't fast enough and my serve didn't work. "
A two-set success followed against Ferreira Silva. So Feli still has the trip down under firmly in her sights. “It is my goal to be in the main draw of the Australian Open. I am close. I just need a few more points. To be able to contest another Grand Slam tournament would be very special for me. I can also travel with my family. You train day after day in order to be able to take part in the big events. So if I have the chance to compete again, I'll take it. That's for sure."
Outside perspective
Lopez has also gained experience after his active career. Since 2019 he has been the tournament director of the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid. “After so many years on the pitch, it is extremely exciting to get to know the other side. You look at the tournament from a different perspective and learn completely new things, ”said the seven-time ATP tournament winner and former number 12 in the world.
In the next few days and weeks, however, he will still pick up the bat himself. The journey is not over yet.