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31 Mar 2026 | 15.33
We had to wait almost three years to see Pablo Llamas (Jerez de la Frontera, 2002) lift another title. It happened at the Challenger de Alicante, closing a stellar week where no player was able to take a set from him.
And of course, with such a performance, Punto de Break couldn't stay on the sidelines. Today was the day to interview the man from Cadiz to tell us how he managed to win a tournament he had considered withdrawing from at the beginning of the week. How? Just as you hear it, this victory has been unexpectedly sweet. This is what destiny has presented to Pablo Llamas, a journey full of obstacles but always with complete satisfaction at the end of each chapter. Free from injuries and brimming with more confidence than ever, the Jerez tennis player dreams of breaking into the top 100 sooner rather than later. Hearing him so happy after his recent move to Valencia is what we like the most.
Beyond the title, I'm glad to see you enjoy on the court again.
Absolutely. I've been dealing with wrist and elbow injuries for over a year until about a month and a half ago when it seems we finally found the solution. Now I'm playing without pain, no longer needing to take Voltaren all the time, so that makes a difference on the court.
Did you expect to end up lifting the trophy at the beginning of the week?
No! (laughs). After Murcia, I seriously doubted whether I would play this tournament because I ended up quite affected in my match against De Jong. So I came here, and on the first day, I practiced for 40 minutes with my coach to see how I felt. Based on that, I would decide whether to play or not...
So, you went from doubting your participation to becoming the champion. Explain it again.
That's a good question (laughs). Moreover, with a Head ball, which if you ask me, is the ball I despise the most on the entire circuit. My elbow suffers the most with this ball, so I was a bit scared, unsure of how it would react. The first day of training was crucial; there, I felt comfortable with the ball, liked the sensation. The ball was coming out well, not as heavy; when it gets fat, it forces you to exert a lot of effort. Suddenly, my opponent from Monday retired, so I had to play on Tuesday. That extra day of rest also saved me.
What would you say has been the key throughout the week?
Consistency and aggressiveness. I've been dictating more points than I'm used to. Since I've been in Valencia, they have emphasized this aspect to me.
You beat Pablo Carreño in the final, no small feat.
I know him very well, and so do my coaches, but then you have to execute the plan. I think I did it perfectly, knowing where each ball had to go but also accepting every moment of the match. On Pablo's part, I'd say he was more error-prone than usual.
I saw you both smiling in the net handshake; what happened there?
We play Fantasy together, we're in the same league... and just the night before, I had taken one of his players before going to bed. That's when the game really started (laughs). At the net, he congratulated me on the victory, said I deserved it.
How did you deal with the wind? At first, it seemed like it would be a nightmare of a final.
The wind started causing trouble from 5:00 in the morning at the hotel, the air coming in through the window and everywhere, a terrible noise. Honestly, I didn't sleep all night. Then during the warm-up, it was impossible, very tricky to play, but then it started calming down, and in the end, we were able to play a good match, much better than it initially seemed. I could almost see myself using the 'continental grip' (laughs).
It's been almost three years between your first and second Challenger. Does it feel different?
This one feels really good, honestly. The Challenger de Segovia came as a surprise; that year I started outside the top 400; it was my first season playing these tournaments. Though it's not very flattering for me to say, I think I didn't entirely deserve it back then; during that period, I was doing many things wrong off the court. Now it's the opposite, after all the injuries I've dealt with and all the effort I've put in, after playing in pain throughout 2025, taking Voltaren daily, falling and getting back up continuously, being disciplined with my diet... I can say today that I truly deserve this title.
Where would Pablo Llamas be without so many injuries?
I've asked myself that a lot, but it's something we'll never know, it's uncertain. Hopefully, I can find more consistency and compete in the tournaments I plan at the beginning of the year. If that happens, we'll see how far I can go. This victory gives me a lot of confidence to travel that path.
Since turning professional, you've changed residences several times; what is it that you're looking for that's so hard to find?
I was in Seville between 2020 and 2024, just when I parted ways with my coach. I then spoke with Albert Costa, and he said they would be happy to welcome me in Barcelona, although I had been struggling with my wrist for two months. They helped me with the rehab, offered me a great project, and I felt super comfortable at the TEC... the issue was that I still had pain in my wrist, couldn't find the solution. Eventually, a doctor found the answer, but it led me to spend a lot of time in hospitals and various pains, making it mentally very challenging. Being away from my family hurt the most.
And the pains that wouldn't go away.
That's another thing, I thought my hand would finally behave, but in January 2025, I came back, and my elbow started hurting a lot again. That's when everything became uphill; I reconsidered everything; it wasn't normal to return in pain after every tournament. What I wanted was to go home and be with my family, although I loved how they treated me at the TEC, was really happy with the coaches. I'll always be grateful for everything they did for me, but mentally, I couldn't handle being there, couldn't enjoy it. I decided to return to Jerez and stay there for a whole year, needed to rediscover myself and regain my enthusiasm.
Do you think you made the right decision?
I found a super good team, people close to me, locals who knew me well. Once I spent that year in Jerez, I felt like I had outgrown my home. Being in the comfort zone is nice but only to a certain extent. I needed to be in a place where I could evolve, surround myself with coaches with extensive experience, who have guided people to where I want to be. So I thought, where would I like to live? In Valencia. I talked to G Tennis and they made everything incredibly easy for me. Now I'm extremely happy.
What if you feel the need to return home again?
I don't rule it out; I'm someone who likes to be at home, but thank God I have many friends here in Valencia. I know it won't be the same feeling as in Barcelona, where I only spent time with (Ignacio) Buse, with whom I have a great friendship. Besides that, I can't compare the well-being I have in Valencia, where my girlfriend is very close, and my physiotherapist, who is also one of my best friends, is just 10 minutes away from me. All of this adds up.
You're going to make a good jump in the ranking (#151), although maybe this issue is secondary.
I always say you shouldn't go crazy, neither with losses nor victories. Now I'll climb in the ranking, which will help me play other tournaments. Hopefully, I can play the Mutua Madrid Open and also in Rome; I don't defend anything until Roland Garros. I want to establish myself; if I can play the Masters 1000, well, I'll be happy. Every tennis player wants to reach these big tournaments.
You've been close to the top 100 several times; why is this time different?
I'd say this is the time I believe it the most... The other times when I was close, I didn't fully believe in it, didn't trust myself as much, or not enough to be in the top 100. Little by little, the pieces have been falling into place. If God wills it and injuries respect me... I hope to break that barrier.
You're still 23 years old; are you in a hurry?
Not at all! Everyone has their path; life places you where you should be. I have a tattooed phrase that says: 'Everything happens for a reason.' Thanks to everything that's happened to me, I've been able to draw many positive things, despite all the tough times. I follow my path, not in a rush for anything; if it's meant to come my way... it will.
And if it doesn't come?
Well, everything happens for a reason, even the things that don't happen. I'm focused on what's mine; if I stick to it, I know the best is yet to come.
You have another tattoo on your shoulder and part of your triceps, a much larger one.
There are three angels tattooed: one who sees no evil, one who hears no evil, and one who speaks no evil. You know those three monkeys in WhatsApp?
What do they represent?
It's a Chinese proverb that says if you see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil, you will live in peace. For me, the key to life is being at peace with yourself, being calm. If you manage to be at peace, happiness will be within you.
You've become quite philosophical.
It turned out better than I expected (laughs).
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Pablo Llamas: “Me he preguntado muchas veces dónde estaría sin las lesiones”
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