Párrizas: "The top 100 is where I should be, I will try not to drop out again"

Fernando Murciego | 16 Jun 2025 | 20.30

Interview of Nuria Párrizas with Fernando Murciego. Source: Break Point

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One must have a lot of self-confidence to leave behind a streak of eight consecutive defeats. In fact, of the thirteen tournaments she had played in 2025, Nuria Párrizas (Granada, 1991) had been eliminated in the first round in nine of them. A calendar that threatened storm until she reached the semifinals in Bari a week ago. Could it have been a premonition of what was to come? Today we can confirm that indeed, as those victories in Italy were the fuel the Andalusian needed to land at the BBVA Open Internacional de Valencia with a renewed energy.

In the Túria capital, she changed her luck, gritting her teeth in each round until she seized the coveted trophy. A huge joy for her and also for the tournament director, Anabel Medina, who saw her event won by a Spanish player for the first time in ten years. After the ceremony –including Valencian fireworks– and signing some autographs, Punto de Break steps onto the central court of the Sporting Club de Tenis to interview the champion.

Of all the WTA 125K tournaments you have won, is this one the most special?

I'm not sure if it's the most special, but considering the moment I was in, it has been a great reward. In another moment, if you are feeling good and win the tournament, maybe you don't enjoy it as much.

What was your state of mind at that time?

I was coming from a disastrous clay court tour, losing many matches in a row, many of them in the third set, but they always ended on the other side. Until the Bari tournament, I wasn't feeling well at all, so it was a challenging clay season for me.

What was going on with you?

I needed to rediscover that confidence, I knew that as soon as I could win a match, I would see everything differently. The first matches are always the toughest, but if you are also coming off many consecutive defeats, then it gets much harder. I knew that as soon as I won a match, I would start feeling good again.

Did you ever doubt yourself?

I always had it clear... well, not always (laughs). After so many years competing, I know this is a long-term process, it's normal to go through a rough patch, it happened to me in 2024, but eventually I managed to bring out my best tennis. This time was the same, I knew that at any moment I could turn it around, but during the period, it's tough.

The journey here has been quite challenging.

From the first match I played here, against Soboleva, I knew it was going to be a tough week. That day I felt very good, I really liked the conditions, everything was slow and heavy, but you need strength to move the ball. From the first match, I felt comfortable hitting.

In the final, you were seen struggling at times, was it just fatigue?

It was fatigue, I came from a very tough semifinal match, I struggled a lot to sleep, I could barely rest. This final was more mental than anything else, because the match wasn't good, neither of us played well. We made many mistakes, many double faults, but I always tried to be there at all times, not showing that I was tired. It was tough, honestly, but in the end, I managed to pull through. I congratulate her for the effort she also put in.

And now what?

Today, all that's left is to celebrate, each in their own way (laughs). I don't know what I'll do, given my desire, I feel like going to shower and sleep, we'll see. I'll be with my team, we'll go out for dinner, and then I'll have a couple of days to spend with my family. Starting Wednesday, it's time to head to Wimbledon and start getting ready for the grass season.

How is it going with your new team?

I was without a team for many months, searching, although with Guillem, I've been working for a long time, he's my trusted physical trainer. Now with Axel, I've been training for a year, and honestly, things have gone very well since we started. He knows perfectly well how to handle me, which is ultimately the most important thing, even when I'm not at my best. He has given me that peace of mind, so we are all very happy.

This week you return to the top 100, does it mean something to you?

Honestly, it's not a big deal. For me, the important thing would be to regain my best ranking, that would mean that I could directly enter the main draws of Grand Slams, like this year at the Australian Open. This is just another step, I know this is where I should be, I'll try not to deviate again and hold on to that spot somehow.

Next month you turn 34, does this fact mean anything to you?

Age is talked about a lot, but I have always seen myself as an exception. I entered the professional circuit very late, I experienced everything much later, let's say I haven't been up there as long as other girls who are already up there from a young age. I have the same, or even more, desire than younger people, but I also have the experience of someone my age. I don't think about my age at all, I just focus on how I feel and how I am mentally.

What drives you to keep fighting?

The Grand Slams drive me, these tournaments are amazing, that's where I truly want to be and play. I reached the third round of the Australian Open for two years, my favorite tournament, so I would love to make the second week of a Grand Slam in the future. Continuing to play these tournaments is what really motivates me.

Do you set goals for yourself?

In the short term, I want to perform well on grass. I've always been told it's a surface that could suit me well, although it doesn't depend so much on me, so you never know. I also have the goal of directly entering the main draw of the US Open, without having to go through the Qualy.

What about the Billie Jean King Cup?

Also! I can't say anything about that, hopefully Carla (Suárez) wants to count on me, I would be delighted. This year, when they went to play in the Czech Republic, I was called up, but I was left out at the last minute due to an abdominal injury. It left me with a sour taste, so I hope to be in the Final Phase in Shenzen.

After this tournament, surely Carla has taken note.

I hope so, hopefully she followed this tournament closely (laughs). I'm delighted with Carla, I haven't been able to be with her as captain yet, so I hope she calls me in the future.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Párrizas: “El top100 es donde debo estar, intentaré no volver a salirme”