Párrizas: "I see myself with better tennis now than when I had my best ranking"

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After going through two seasons filled with successes, even reaching the Top 50, this year has meant a drastic change for Nuria Párrizas (Granada, 1991) who had to rediscover the good feelings on the court. Minutes after the training session prior to Spain's debut in the Billie Jean King Cup 2024 alongside Sara Sorribes, the Andalusian player, ranked 98th in the world, sits down with Punto de Break to chat about her return to the Top 100, her positive streak aiming to reach the highest possible level again, all the sacrifices she has had to make along the way, and her future in tennis.

How have you experienced this season?

"Honestly, I started the year quite well, but it's true that I've been a bit behind because the previous year I couldn't compete for a long time. I had to defend a lot and it was playing to defend, not to progress. For many months, I had several coaching changes and I wasn't clear. I wasn't very calm or focused because I didn't feel like I had a team. Then Axel came along, and from there, the results have spoken for themselves from the beginning."

After parting ways with Carlos Boluda, have you been traveling alone again?

"I have always been traveling with coaches since then, but I didn't really feel that connection until I started with Axel."

Did you have high expectations for this 2024?

"In the end, I know the level I have, where I've been, and I knew that sooner or later I would return to the Top 100 and obviously, once there, I hope to achieve much more."

At 24, you decided to take a year off, what did you do during that period?

"Honestly, I struggled a lot during that period, I had to recover mentally because it was very tough for me. I started working, got my coaching certification, played national tournaments and team events, all to earn some extra money."

Do you consider becoming a coach in the future?

"I haven't thought about it, but at that time I was 24 and since I was idle, with nothing else to do, I was able to do it."

Why did you start playing tennis? How was your evolution until turning professional?

"My grandmother loves tennis, she watches a lot of tennis on TV, she loved watching Nadal, Verdasco... and one day she told my mother why not enroll the girl in tennis. No one in my family plays, only me, but it was thanks to her. When you start as a child, you don't know how it will turn out, but I started with a group in Granada and gradually stood out. When I was 14, I joined the Andalusian Tennis Federation in Seville and from there is when you start to be more professional and commit day and night to tennis."

How much have you had to sacrifice along the way?

"My whole life. I've always had to travel alone because I never had that support, only my mother could help me. Then when I stopped playing, it was because there was no money for anyone else to assist me. It has been very sacrificial, but I always trusted that at some point I could be where I am now, where I can continue fighting, but it has been very sacrificial."

What remains of that "New Nuria" from 2021-2022?

"That period is known for the ranking I had, which was my best ranking, but I didn't have my best tennis during that time. I think I had it later, at the beginning of last year, I had a great level and I think now, at the end of this season, I have also been playing at a good level. I focus on the improvement of all the things I have changed. Tennis is advancing a lot, faster, stronger, better serves, better returns... I am working much more on that and I see myself with better tennis than when I had my best ranking."

Are you considering traveling alone again now?

"No, once I got into it, I was able to make it more professional, to bring my team, coach, and fitness trainer. I understand that it's very important and at these levels, you cannot travel alone, it's a jungle, so I would never travel alone again."

At 33, have you thought about retirement at any point, or is it not something you contemplate for now?

"My case is an exception, so I don't think about my age. I have the same drive as a 22-year-old player, so I will try to extend my career as long as my physical condition and tennis allow me, I don't have a limit of two or three years, it will be as long as I can handle. I hope for many more years."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Párrizas: "Me veo con mejor tenis ahora que cuando tuve mi mejor ranking"