Bucsa: "The clay court swing hasn't gone well for me, but now the grass season is coming, which is what I like"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 26 May 2026 | 08.00

Bucsa: "The clay court season has not gone well for me, but now comes the grass, which is what I like". Photo: Getty Images.

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A clay court tour to forget for Cristina Bucsa (Chisinau, 1998). The Spaniard won her first WTA title in Mérida in March, and since then, her ordeal began. She injured her hip at the Miami Open, causing her to miss the start of the clay court tour, and since then, she hasn't achieved a victory. She missed the beginning of the clay court tour, returned at the Mutua Madrid Open, but didn't quite find her form on the clay. It was confirmed in her debut at Roland Garros 2026, where she fought against Susan Bandecchi, but her comeback fell short on the edge (6-4, 2-6, 6-4).

Despite this bitter defeat, Bucsa sat down to talk with Punto de Break. The Spaniard preferred to look at the positive side of the situation and also gave her opinion on the possible players' boycott at a Grand Slam. She is looking forward to the grass court tour.

What happened today?

She came from three consecutive victories in the qualifying rounds and was somewhat more accustomed to these courts. I needed a bit more adjustment to the playing surfaces. I recovered a bit more in the second set, and in the third, it slipped away narrowly. But well, now comes the grass court tour, which is my favorite. And I'm sure I'll achieve a better result. We must think positively.

Do you feel that after your title in Mérida, there was a certain sense of relief but also some relaxation?

It wasn't due to a lack of motivation. Simply, everything went well for me that week, just like last year in Hong Kong. But I'm still here, and now it's time to analyze what I did well and what I didn't do so well. Tomorrow will be another day.

Is there any extra pressure being the Spanish number one in the world?

Well, it is a privilege and an honor, but it hasn't changed anything for me. I'm still the same person and I continue to strive to improve my tennis.

This Roland Garros is marked by players' protests regarding prize money. What is your opinion on this?

I agree with the other players. The truth is that we receive a very small percentage compared to other sports, especially for players coming from the qualifying rounds. This is a Grand Slam, a big tournament, and we should be supported a bit more. I don't know if it will lead to a boycott; the future will show how things progress, but for now, we're in the present.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Bucsa: "La gira de tierra no me ha salido bien, pero ahora viene la hierba, que es la que me gusta"