Spizzirri's Overcoming: From Losing the University Championship Final to Achieving His First Victory in a Masters 1000

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Eliot Spizzirri is one of those stories of overcoming adversity that are so common in the world of tennis and in life in general. The 23-year-old American player suffered last year in May one of those defeats that one never forgets. It happened in the team final of the US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) when his university, Texas, fell in the final point of the match against TCU (Texas Christian University) by 4-3. The pain of losing such a close final was compounded by the fact that it was his last chance to win the college title, as it was his final year as a student.

However, Spizzirri realized a few days later the importance of moving forward and not getting stuck in the past: "I think moments like that in life, the big moments, the big challenges, can guide you in two ways; you either learn from them or you obsess over them, and I choose to learn from those opportunities." The American also realized after that defeat the priorities he needed to have in life: "It was like, 'Wow, I'm still a happy guy. Yes, I lost a national championship and that was what I wanted so badly... My tennis results, of course, matter and are important, but at the same time, it's not everything," he stated in comments collected by ATP.

A defeat that changed his outlook on tennis and life

After his college experience, the American decided to pursue his dream of becoming a professional tennis player, after having been number one in the college rankings. But with one thing very clear: he was going to play to enjoy himself. "I think maybe before an important match or even a decisive moment, I was too intense or took things too seriously, and now I just try to enjoy it and make sure I don't judge myself based on my tennis results. I feel like I'm more than just a tennis player and that I can have a greater impact in the future."

And with this philosophy, he began a professional career that has gone quite well. Ten months ago, he was number 730 in the ATP rankings and after reaching the final of the Cleveland Challenger, where he had a match point, and winning the San Diego Challenger, he has risen to 134th place. And if that's not enough, in his debut at the Miami Open, where he received a wildcard, he defeated Billy Harris in the first round (7-6(2), 3-6, 6-2) and now awaits Sebastian Korda in the second round. 

"I feel like I've learned more about myself in the last 12 months than in my entire previous tennis career. There have been many crazy moments in the last 12 months, but to sum it up, I've learned a lot. And, on the other hand, I've enjoyed a lot. It goes hand in hand; if you enjoy the journey week by week and don't focus so much on the results, just enjoy playing professional tennis and living my dream, then good things will happen," states the Cincinnati native, who seems to have learned a lot from that college defeat, even more than if he had won.

Learning to put things into perspective, the key to his success

"I've come to terms with winning and losing not being everything. I would have preferred to learn it at another time, maybe at a time when losing was something only I had to deal with, and not a group of 14 of my best friends and coaches with whom I've been working for four and a half years and whom I deeply appreciate," confesses Spizzirri.

After his victory in the Miami Open, he moves up to 127th place, more than 600 positions in 10 months, opening up the opportunity to play in higher-level tournaments and continue progressing in his career. But Spizzirri is certain he will do it his way, and that is by enjoying. "Since May, I've learned a lot as a professional and what it takes week by week. I've learned a lot about myself, about my identity as a player, about what I feel helps me perform at my best level. But, above all, it has been very enjoyable and fun."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La superación de Spizzirri: de perder la final del campeonato universitario a conseguir su primera victoria en un Masters 1000