Carreño: "My greatest motivation now is to keep playing and for my son to be able to see me in these tournaments"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 25 May 2026 | 15.58

Carreño: "My greatest motivation now is to keep playing and for my son to be able to see me in these tournaments". Photo: Gettyimages

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Pablo Carreño (Gijón, 1991) has not yet said his last word in the world of tennis. After overcoming an elbow injury a couple of years ago and having to compete in challenger tournaments, the Spanish player did not give up. He returned to the top 100 and has now managed to defeat a seeded player like Jiri Lehecka (6-3, 7-6(3), 6-3) to advance to the second round of Roland Garros 2026.

After his convincing debut, he sits down to talk with Punto de Break. He does so with a smile on his face after going through the bitterness of a complex elbow operation and regaining his competitiveness. This good mood is needed for various matters, from his form to the new generation of Spanish players (Landaluce, Jódar, Mérida, Llamas), including the difficult injury of Carlos Alcaraz.

How did you feel today?

I wouldn't say my level surprised me because during the clay season, I believe I improved. I started by playing those challengers in Murcia and Alicante where the results were very good and the level was not bad, but obviously, they were challengers. Later, I played several matches at the ATP level, and they didn't go too bad, but when facing these top players, I was lacking a bit.

What was the key to your victory?

I think I played a very complete match from start to finish. I was constantly doing what I had discussed with my coach. I believe I dominated many aspects of the game, served quite well too, and I don't think I faced a single break point throughout the match, so I think I was quite dominant. I'm happy, of course, because it was a very tough match for a first round, especially coming with shoulder issues that occurred in Valencia preventing me from playing there.

Was there cause for concern? At 34, do you measure how far you can push yourself?

No, I'm fine, had no issues during the match, so I'm very happy. Obviously, with age, one of the things you improve is your knowledge of your body. When something hurts, I already know if it's significant or just a minor discomfort. We often compete and train with some discomfort, but you need to differentiate between discomfort, real pain, and injury. For instance, in Valencia, it's not that I withdrew because Roland Garros was approaching, I would have liked to play because I was in Spain, and besides, I was playing well, but I just couldn't continue.

How do you cope with having to play challenger tournaments to regain your level after your elbow injury?

When you are used to a certain level, dropping down is always a bit challenging because you get accustomed to a higher level, but I have always faced challenger tournaments well. In fact, my results have always been very good at those levels, but what you miss is the level and then the ATP tournaments.

How do you mentally prepare in that moment?

It is what it is, I had no ranking, and perhaps my level at that time was not sufficient for higher tournaments again, but I kept fighting and training every day to reach these tournaments and compete with anyone, win or lose, but to compete. Today, I competed from start to finish and I won. That's the goal when I participate in a challenger.

And what motivates you now that you have recovered?

Well, when I had the injury, my main motivation was not to retire due to injury and to be able to retire on the court. When I returned to the top 100 after the injury, I was lacking something to continue with that motivation. In fact, at the end of last year and a bit at the beginning of this year, I had some critical moments where motivation was lacking.

But my biggest motivation now is to keep playing and for my son to see me in these tournaments. For him to be aware that his father has been able to play in these tournaments and have him enjoy these moments.

You have been one of the stable players of the Spanish Armada for over a decade on the circuit, and now Jódar, Landaluce, and Mérida emerge all of a sudden. What do you think about that?

Spain has always had many players, and I believe it will continue to. The issue is that in Spain, we have been so lucky to always have players like Nadal, Ferrer, and many top 10 players. Then comes Alcaraz, but we also have players like Munar, Martínez, Zapata, or Carballés who may not have reached the top 30 or 40, and we get anxious about lacking players.

Now suddenly three players have emerged, almost the same age, very young, and perhaps even four if we include Pablo Llamas, who is also very close. For example, Jódar has a high potential. Landaluce as well. We must give them time, they will gradually produce more players, and we must support them, not rush them, not put more pressure than necessary because they will yield results.

And here in Paris, we are missing one, Carlos Alcaraz. What do you recommend to him with his injury?

I know his team very well because it has been practically my team for many years. Therefore, I know he is in very good hands, and they will make the best decision; he won't rush. The important thing is for him to stay calm because he is only 23 and still has a long career ahead. He is already very mature for his age, so he will handle it well, he will have to rest for as long as necessary, and when he returns, I'm sure he will come back as strong as before, even stronger.

You know Samu López well. How do you see him alongside Carlos Alcaraz? Because he has adapted perfectly to his team…

It doesn't surprise me because Samu has been in this for ages, he has lived with many players of a very high level. Since he was with Juan Carlos Ferrero, with Nico Almagro, with Guillermo García, and then with me. He has been with many players, always giving his best and getting the most out of the players, besides being a great person. He is a great worker, and I believe he is more than capable to train a player like Carlos.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Carreño: "Mi mayor motivación ahora es seguir jugando y que mi hijo pueda verme en estos torneos"