Marina Bassols, tennis player: “The death threats were very hard”

Marina Bassols (Blanes, 26 years old) He approached the top-100 in the world before a bothersome foot injury. He tries again now that “I’m enjoying it” and has just won his first match in a Grand Slam, at Roland Garros. Before traveling to Wimbledon, to compete in the qualifying phase, he visited Mundo Deportivo through the mediation of the Catalan Tennis Federation (FCT).

She can say that in Paris she was the only player to win a set against the champion, Mirra Andreeva. He gave her a very bad time.

It was a very disputed match. I felt super comfortable, I enjoyed the atmosphere on a big track. It became more complicated at the result level (3-6, 6-1 and 6-1). I had some options in the second set, also in the third, although the result seemed a little easier. But the reality was not this and I left the game super satisfied. Wanting more, but happy.

He taught a lot of level.

Three years ago I achieved my best ranking, 105 in the world. I was unlucky that I suffered an injury and in the end you defend the points from that year. With the recovery and everything I couldn’t play as much. But in the end that’s it, the level is there. It took me a bit to get into the rhythm after the injury. Also some things that happened that I wasn’t completely focused on. Now I can say that I am in a good moment. With my team super happy, enjoying tennis. And with work you can dream of achieving great things. I dreamed about Roland Garros, which was the only Grand Slam in which I had not won even in the previous one. I’m super happy.

He talks a lot about his team. It is unusual to have been with the same coach, Marc Pallarés, for so long.

Ten years. I owe him everything, it’s like he was my older brother, my second father. He takes care of me a lot. It’s like she’s his daughter. The things he has to tell me, he tells me. That is, for better, for worse. And having this bond is very important to me. Also with my psychologist (Olga Parres), whom I already knew because we had played doubles together. I have my physical trainer (Carlos Aguilar) and my nutritionist Toña. I look for that trust and union.

Is it difficult to maintain this structure economically in its position?

Tennis is very expensive, you need a lot of money to invest in your career, in travel, in hotels, meals. You pay your expenses, but also those of the people who come with you. And sometimes it becomes complicated, because depending on where you are in the ranking, you earn less money and it becomes more difficult. I like that they are comfortable, it is the best way to work. I hope for me to pay them as much as I can. I am very lucky that I am with an incredible team, much better people, who understand my situation. I had difficult conversations earlier this year, but I have you by my side and I am so grateful for that.

He has made a public call to sponsors. Have they arrived?

Not yet, but I’m trying to follow my path. The doors are open for any type of help. It will be welcome, it is to reinvest in my career, which I hope will be long. Let’s see if we can enjoy together and hopefully with the help of a sponsor.

A very different world from that of the big stars.

Let’s see, I have a brand of rackets (Wilson) and clothing (Lotto), but it is as if it were another race. They do not have this problem that we can have as we are below ranking. But at least it is an issue that is being fought now. Sabalenka, Sinner, Djokovic, are coming together to improve conditions and help those of us who are lower down. Now I’m 140th in the world, but who knows where I’ll be next year. Or in six months, you never know what can happen even in two months. Maybe you’re down here and then you go up.

What goal have you set for yourself?

I don’t like to set ranking goals, but I dream big. For me to be in the top 10 would be an incredible thing, whenever it is.

What does it take to be on top?

Regularity. Once you are up there, you play more against them and you see that the level is not so different. Or even sometimes you are better. Tennis changes you in a week, both for better and for worse. If, for example, you defend a lot of points, then you can also go down. But I don’t like to think about that either. I like to go day by day, play, enjoy. In my case I have been able to verify that it is where I get my maximum playing potential. And where you feel better on the track and where things go better. So you are very close, but far at the same time. I focus on the road. And in the end, if it has to come, it will come.

Suffer and enjoy at the same time?

Things happen to you outside of tennis that you also have to manage. In the end it is trying to surround yourself with people, your family and your team. Tennis is hard. I’m painting it very badly, but I really enjoy it. I decide to play tennis, it is the sport that has taught me many things, many values. You learn a lot, you mature, you learn to manage, to be a better person, to be grateful, in my case.

He reported having received death threats.

Yes, they were very harsh threats. I was at a tournament in Colombia and after the match I received those messages. And, damn, it was hard to see those messages and then return home. Insults you end up receiving daily. These are things that are normalized, although they shouldn’t be. But with those messages I thought that what was happening was not normal and I wanted to give a little visibility to the issue. Let the little ones who try to start competing in tennis see what they can find if they play professional tournaments, so that these comments do not come to them again and that they do not have something important to deal with.

Now she looks happy.

I’m enjoying it a lot. It has been a good start to the year. Starting with Australia, who didn’t know if they were going to play it. In the end I entered one of the last. I lost in the last qualifying round, but they were a few days of maximum personal improvement. I arrived on Monday evening in Australia, I played on Tuesday. No jet lag, no nothing. The next day I played again, sleeping four hours. And in the last round of the previous round I slept for two hours. It’s been a good year. In the end one wants more, one wants to achieve more things. So I focus on working, on continuing with my team. And in the end the good will come

The Spanish team too?

I was there, but I would like to return because it is very exciting. Carla Suárez (captain) was at Roland Garros with us. We loved it because of its proximity