The Spanish tennis player Pablo Carreño has pointed out that, if he had to assess his “very good year” with a note, this “would rise from 8”, adding that he does not get a 10 because “there are things to improve” and acknowledging that reaching the semifinals The last US Open was “brutal” as well as “totally unexpected.”
The Asturian player started 2017 in the 30th place in the world ranking and closes it in 10th, an outstanding rise marked by great results at the US Open and Roland Garros, the title won in Estoril and even his participation in the Masters Cup. replacing the injured Rafa Nadal.
«It has been a very good year. If I had to give myself a grade, it would go up from 8, but I wouldn’t get a 10 either because I think there are still things to improve. I have been a bit surprised with myself. At the beginning of the year I did not expect at all to be among the top ten in the world and playing the Masters Cup. It was a bit of a surprise. From the beginning of the season the results have been accompanying and the feelings were very good, but reaching the semifinals of the US Open was something totally unexpected, “Carreño reviewed in an interview with Europa Press.
Despite his big step forward, he warned that he still has “room for improvement.” «Obviously they are details, not in a big way, but some details that can make you improve in specific situations and moments of pressure. That can make me go up a bit more in the ranking. It is complicated because I am already very high, but still results will come », predicted facing the imminent new year.
Delving into these aspects that could be improved, the Gijonense, Peugeot’s promotional image, explained that he has “details to polish on a technical level, especially in the serve, which is what makes the most difference in current tennis”, but also “mentally because to competing against players like Rafa (Nadal), Federer or Djokovic you have to have confidence and believe that you can win them.
“Reaching the semifinals of the US Open was something brutal, but it did not come suddenly because I did the semifinals in Indian Wells, the quarterfinals at Roland Garros … I was improving little by little and at the US Open I had a good opportunity to reach my first semifinal of ‘Grand Slam’, but in a round like this there is no one bad. I don’t think it was a unique opportunity, I think I’ll be able to be there again, “he said about his best result of the year.
As for the rest of the ATP circuit, Carreño surrendered to the figure of Nadal and stressed that the Balearic Islands «you cannot be surprised by anything because he has already shown many times that he is an out of series and that you can never give him up for dead, although many they insist ».
«He has shown again that he is an alien by winning two ‘Grand Slams’ and recovering the world number one. Both he and David (Ferrer) have helped me a lot throughout my career. I have been fortunate to be close to them, to coincide in many tournaments with them and only by being by their side you can learn. And if they are also good friends, as they are, they are even more helpful, “he thanked his compatriots.
In addition, Carreño commented on the plague of injuries that this year has plagued important players on the circuit and clarified that “every year there are injuries to players, but this year it has coincided that they have been ‘top’ players like Djokovic, Murray or Nishikori and that. it has made it more noticeable. “
«The calendar is very tight and it is not easy to finish the season the way you start it. That they try things to shorten the matches and innovate is good because sports have to evolve. You can choose to play or not to play a tournament, but if you want to be at the top or you are Federer, who plays five tournaments and wins four, or you have to play several weeks, “he reflected on the physical demands of his sport.