"I am at my peak point of belief and self-esteem"

They say that hard work always pays off, a saying fulfilled this past Sunday in the person of Andrea Lázaro (Barcelona, 1994). The Catalan player won her first WTA title and today appears higher in the rankings than ever before.

Andrea Lázaro has been doing things very well for some time now. She knows that one more title won't change her life, although surely many things crossed her mind when embracing the trophy at the WTA 125K in Dubrovnik. At 31 years old – after a long journey where she was tempted to hang up her racket at times – today the world ranking places her for the first time among the top 150. Once again, Punto de Break responds to the call of our protagonists, an essential step to close the circle and give voice to a woman who can now boast of being the fifth best tennis player in the country.

Interview with Andrea Lázaro after winning her first WTA title

Not every day you win a WTA tournament, how does it feel?

It has been a super special week, all the Spanish players were there, an incredible experience. I felt very good from the start, so it's a dream come true. Not every day you win a WTA 125K.

Did you expect it when you arrived in Dubrovnik?

I had a good feeling from the beginning because I love the city, and the organization also made a big effort so that all the girls felt well received. I liked the conditions, but I wasn't expecting to win either. It's true that I had been playing well in previous tournaments, so there was a chance of achieving a good result.

You beat players with a solid reputation.

There was a day when we had to double up due to the rain, but I was very well prepared physically. Against Tena (Lukas) in the round of 16, I knew I was facing a super aggressive opponent, and with Alina (Charaeva) in the quarterfinals, I also knew she had a very strong start to the season. I focused a lot on my game because you have to measure up against these opponents, until Mayar (Sherif) came in the semifinals and (Anhelina) Kalinina in the final. I kept doing my thing, displaying a good level of tennis.

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Kalinina, who came with a record of 18-1.

In fact, I talked with several friends, and we said: 'We have to end this woman's streak; she's leaving nothing for the rest' (laughter). Both of us were playing well, and I knew it was going to be a tough battle. In fact, we faced each other years ago in Les Franqueses del Vallès, where I beat her on a fast court, although that didn't mean anything now.

You look radiant, Andrea.

I feel very good, in general, since I had the ankle injury in 2023. That's when I started to see the world of tennis a bit differently; I began to put things into perspective and enjoy the moment more. I like to say that tennis is a sport for the brave, people don't know about all the effort and sacrifice behind it, so I look at it from a more mature perspective. I try to enjoy every moment to the fullest and not think about the future; it's better to focus on the present and daily work.

And how were you before?

I was more anxious; I wanted things instantly. I worked the same, but I wasn't focused on what I wanted or needed. The calmness I have now makes me play better and be happier off the court.

Was it difficult for you to make that change?

I changed everything; it was radical. I changed my training location and coaches, started working with a psychologist who helps me a lot. My partner also supports me a lot off the court. It's a combination of things that have come together over the years, falling into place, in addition to the experiences you go through. That has pushed me to where I really needed to be.

What has been the worst moment in this whole journey?

The worst experience was the ankle injury, without a doubt; I had never had an injury of that magnitude, so severe, it was a shock. Additionally, it happened during a match; I twisted my ankle while running for a drop shot, had to wear a boot for four months, and had a lot of time to think. Aside from that moment, I usually had good experiences in tennis.

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Those who know you speak of you as a super hard worker, bordering on obsession?

Yes, but it's a good obsession. Tennis requires a lot of dedication; you sacrifice many hours, countless hours a day, you have to always train well, eat well, stay hydrated... If achieving success is already difficult in itself, imagine if you don't do things right. Some people are #400 and take it to heart, they do everything very professionally, just as others may need more freedom to feel good about themselves.

What does success mean to you?

Daily work, giving my all to reach my goals. Throughout my career, I have already achieved many things, so if they ask me if I have achieved success when I leave tennis, I will say yes.

Don't scare me, you still have a lot of career ahead of you.

Yes, I want to keep playing, working day by day. Whatever comes will be good, but I also don't think I'll be playing until I'm 40 (laughs). If my body and mind allow it, and if I continue enjoying it as I have been, I'm sure I have three or four more years ahead of me.

The legend says that only the top 100 players live well off tennis. In your case, never having broken that barrier, have you had financial difficulties?

A lot, of course. Until I was 19, I was on a scholarship from the Catalan Tennis Federation, and that's when I decided to go to university with the idea of not playing tennis again. I took a year off from training, lost all my amateur ranking, so I focused on studying. By the third year, I returned to competing, started winning matches, became the country's No. 2, won a national tournament, and that's when I got the itch to try again.

And you came back.

I returned in 2018 with the idea of turning professional and dedicating myself to it, but that's when I had my first doubt about whether I really wanted this life or not. The ankle injury also made me ponder a lot; those were the two strongest turning points.

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Looks like it hasn't been a bed of roses.

It has been tough, yes [...] Until you reach the Grand Slam Qualifying rounds, it's very tough. Luckily, I had my family who could always support me because I never had any sponsors or external financial assistance, except when I was on scholarship with the Catalan Federation until I was 19. We've been through tough times, deciding which tournaments we could travel to based on numbers. So, I'm tremendously proud to see that now the numbers are starting to work out, and I can make a living from tennis a little better.

Did the rest of your contemporaries receive assistance from the RFET?

I have no idea, I can only speak for myself. In my case, the only ones who have financially helped me have been my family and my partner, I don't know if other players have received financial assistance from the Federation. In my case, I have only received help in the form of equipment, rackets, and clothing. Besides this, all the assistance has come from my family: Lázaro García.

A good sponsor.

The best of all! (Laughs).

Resources are important, but they don't win matches.

Of course, there are other players who, despite all the help in the world, don't reach the top 150. And then, there are others who have had no help at all… that's where the beauty lies, in the athlete's sacrifice. It's incredible to see that Spain is a global reference in sports, producing numerous athletes, but maybe we need a bit more support.

At 31, you've entered the top 150 for the first time. Was the wait worth it.

I have always worked thinking that all that sacrifice would bring a reward, although I believe I haven't reached my limit yet. I know I can give much more. Why wouldn't I break into the top 100? Age is just a number, I'm in great physical shape, have hardly suffered injuries, mentally I am strong and my environment is ideal. The goal is to extend this as much as possible.

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'You have the tennis to be top100'. How many times have you had to hear this phrase?

Countless times, especially focusing on my forehand, but until you believe it yourself... it doesn't matter if 100 or 200 people tell you.

What does believing in yourself mean? In what situations does it apply?

It's difficult to explain [...] The other day I was telling my psychologist: 'I'm playing well, I'm confident, but when the next match comes, it's like that previous confidence drops a bit, facing another opponent'.

And she said to me: 'Confidence is not always the starting point, but the consequence of something'. I didn't even have to write down that phrase; I have it ingrained in my mind. For me, it all comes down to daily training, repetitions, matches, all of that leads you to believe in yourself. When you persist, when you've been doing things right for a long time, you end up winning that crucial break point that comes your way.

At what belief point are you now?

Right now, I am at my peak of belief and self-esteem, at the peak of my career. I am someone who values things greatly, I have a super hard-working family, and they have always instilled those values in me and my sister. When things work out, whether small or big, it's a pride and a huge satisfaction. In fact, all this week I couldn't stop telling the other players how happy I was, even on the days we couldn't play due to rain. I felt really good about everything around me, I saw that nothing could go wrong.

What would you need to be a little happier?

Continuing with the same dynamic, working as I have been so far, I won't tell you anything about results or ranking. If I keep going like this, I know these things will come...

Don't hold back, allow yourself to dream.

Let's see, if I can win another WTA 125K or some WTA 250, that would be great. Or if I can surpass a Grand Slam qualifying round, that's another goal I have in mind. Like any professional tennis player, reaching the biggest tournaments is the ultimate goal. Hopefully, it can happen at Roland Garros.

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I see you are now the fifth best Spaniard in the ranking, not a joke.

It's very strong because Spanish tennis players all play very well; there's a very high level, and it's challenging to climb in that ranking. But hey, why not be #3? Or #2? Or #1? Those are big words, so it's about continuing with that daily work and we'll see what happens.

How is your relationship with the captain, Carla Suárez? Does she call you at any moment.

There's a very high level in the team, so whatever the captain chooses will be fine; she does it with all the criteria. She's always very attentive to how we're doing; in fact, she was in Dubrovnik because almost all of us were there. She was a great support for us, a pleasure to share some moments with her. They are going to Slovenia with a great squad; hopefully, they can qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

You used to talk to me about your forehand, why is that shot so special?

Well, I don't know exactly why, because visually it's not the prettiest, but I have a hand acceleration that makes the ball go very fast. It gives me a lot of confidence when constructing the point and finding many winners.

Where does it cause the most damage?

I can't tell you that, or else they'll catch me later (laughs). It depends on the surface; I'm a player who adapts quite well to any situation, my game is neither solely for clay nor completely for fast courts. When I'm on a fast court, I try to stay closer to the baseline and play more straight, that's true, whereas on clay, I look for more curve and depth in my shots.

The current circuit is more back and forth. There are players like Sabalenka, Rybakina… can you imagine playing against them?

Lately, much more often, but I love aggressive tennis, hitting impossible winners on the run, I love the evolution that women's tennis is undergoing. I love that style of hitting everything, but yes, I think I could stand up to them, why not? Maybe at the beginning, I'd be a bit inhibited, not knowing where to go, but eventually, I'd put them in trouble. I have my own pattern and trust it a lot.

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Three months ago, at the start of the season, what goal did you set for yourself?

In terms of ranking, our goal was to reach the top 150 by the end of the year, so now it's about maintaining it because it's already late March and we've achieved it. I'll have to sit down again with my team and update the goals (laughs). On the other hand, I want to advance to the main draw of a Grand Slam, playing one day on Philippe Chatrier, that would be amazing. In terms of results, that's the direction we're heading.

And internally, what really drives you to keep fighting every day?

My family motivates me a lot. When I see them, I know they have given everything for us, both for me and my sister. I would love to reward them in the future in some way. I know they are proud of the path both of us have taken, but I need that day to come when I can give back a part of everything they have done for me. That would fill me with pride.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "Estoy en mi punto máximo de creer y de autoestima"