Dani Mérida: "This year I want to make a leap in physical condition"

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Spanish men's tennis has not stopped celebrating successes in this month and a half that we have had of 2026. The latest has been Dani Mérida, champion at the Challenger de Tenerife I after a week that confirms his progress.

Of course, perhaps it would be impossible to harvest these trophies for our tennis without organizations like MEF Tennis Events, a society that, together with Tenerife Tourism, has once again started the list of Challenger tournaments that we are enjoying again this season in Spain. The first beneficiary has been Dani Mérida (Madrid, 2004), who came out triumphantly this Sunday from the Abama Tennis Academy, embracing his second crown in the category. After the ceremony, the Madrid native spoke to Punto de Break to analyze his good moment.

You had a tremendous final in Tenerife.

I felt very good throughout the final, it was the continuation of what I had been feeling all week, with a lot of confidence and always performing at a very high level. All of that helped me face the final in a different way; perhaps I felt more nervous than other days, but I also felt more confident.

When you arrived on the Island, did you see yourself with the trophy on Sunday?

I've always played well here, it's not the first time I've come. I knew my level was very high after how the last weeks of training had gone. Last year, I had performed well on the Challenger circuit, so I already had that experience; I knew I was capable of having a week like this again. The truth is, I adapted very well from the first day; I ended very happy.

In July, you won your first Challenger, now the second. How do they differ?

Well, I would say the feelings are almost identical, the inner excitement was the same... but, of course, the first time is always a bit more special, everything is new. Aside from that initial thrill, I continue with the same motivation as the first day, eager to keep adding and growing.

Both titles in Spain, playing at home multiplies your performance.

I've always said it, I've talked about it with both my team and my family. Whenever I can, I try to play here at home; I believe I reach a slightly higher level than when I'm away. I've trained here in Spain, I feel much more comfortable playing at home, it's something you can quickly see in the results.

What new things can we expect from Dani Mérida in 2026?

Many things, but above all, in the physical aspect. A very significant change was needed in this regard, something I have worked hard on with Guillermo, my fitness coach. We've put in hours on physical training throughout the preseason, but I've also worked on being more aggressive on the court and being a bit calmer mentally. The goal is to start managing the crucial moments a bit better.

You have changed your team, why?

I'm still in Alicante, but now I'm training at the Montemar Athletic Club, with Israel Sevilla as coach and Guillermo Martínez as fitness coach. I wanted to travel with my fitness coach, something we had been discussing for a long time. Besides this, although I saw myself playing well, I thought I needed to make a small change in my tennis; that's where Israel is the right person who can provide me with what I need on the court. So far, everything is working very well.

Will we see you traveling with Israel?

I'm traveling with Guillermo to almost all the tournaments; this season you will see me with him most of the time. Israel will also come some weeks to help us.

Is your girlfriend not traveling anymore?

She also travels quite a bit with me, although she wasn't here this week. Last year, she was with me every week, gave me a lot of confidence, so I keep her in mind even when she's not physically here.

How was your experience at your first Australian Open?

I experienced it with great excitement; I stayed in the second round of the qualifying, but I was happy to see that my level was much higher, even to play some matches in the main draw. I've never been in a rush to do things; I've always known that sooner or later, things will come. My wish is to showcase my peak level in the upcoming Grand Slams I play and also in some ATP tournaments, transferring the level I'm already showing in the Challenger circuit.

What's your schedule now?

I will try to play in Indian Wells, as well as some Challengers in the United States. Then I will return to Europe to compete in the clay court tour in Spain. I want to play the Mutua Madrid Open, the Rome Masters 1000, and Roland Garros.

This is starting to get really exciting...

It's any player's dream to compete in these types of tournaments. I'm very excited, after many seasons working on lower-category tournaments, moving from Futures to Challengers. When the moment comes to transition to bigger tournaments, knowing all the work you've accumulated in the past, fighting and working, everything becomes much more thrilling.

You're 21 but you talk as if you were a veteran.

Yes (laughs). In the end, I started playing very early, at 14 I was already competing in professional tournaments, but I'm happy to see myself winning Challengers at 21. Apart from the two or three guys up there who are exceptional, maybe this is the more normal path.

By the way, three Challenger titles for Spanish tennis in five weeks of 2026. None on clay.

This is an older idea; maybe the Spanish players from some years ago trained much more on clay, which made it difficult to adapt to fast conditions. Now tennis has evolved a lot, both in our country and in other territories; now everyone plays well on any surface. Spaniards are playing better and better on fast courts, and players from other countries are improving on clay.

And now you have to repeat in Tenerife, dealing with the pressure of being the champion.

I wish every week came with this type of pressure for having won the previous week (laughs). I'm very happy, looking forward to getting back on the court and giving it my all.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Dani Mérida: “Este año quiero dar un salto en el terreno físico”