February 2020, and Austrian tennis player Jurij Rodionov is the hottest player on the Challenger tour. In February alone, he has jumped 200 rankings points. After a win in Columbus, Ohio, he sat down with Tennis Acumen. Here's part of that exclusive interview. Jurij talks with Tennis Acumen's Karl Corbett.
Jurij Rodionov sends back a ball at the 2020 Columbus Challenger (photo: Karl Corbett)
Karl: Jurij, you are on a hot streak right now. Looking back at your career, is there a particular match you could call a breakthrough?
Jurij: Not really, no. I had a breakthrough season, starting in 2018 and going into 2019. I was in the top 200 already. The second half of last year (2019) didn't go right and I dropped to 360, but now I'm back at 160. This is really my second breakthrough.
Karl: Here in February 2020, you've won 14 out of your last 15 matches. You won titles in Dallas and Morelo (Mexico). You have gone from number 360 in the world to number 160. Where does that ‘zone’ come from, Jurij, that consistency that every player is looking for?
Jurij: Well, I started the tour in Dallas and it was my first tournament with a touring coach, Javier Frana from Argentina. He's a very experienced guy. He was a top 30 ATP player. We have been talking a lot and just focusing on focusing. We’re talking about my game, what I should focus on, what shots I should play. Javier works with me on how I should play in which situations. I think this helped me a lot and now, I just enjoy playing. I really have fun on the court.
Karl: Jurij, some guys really love to win and some guys hate to lose even more, but you're more “even flow” here. Just playing the game.
Jurij: I realized for myself, the more I focus on winning or losing, the worse I play. So, I always tell myself: “Don't look at the scoreboard. Just play what you've learned, play out what you did during practice, just have fun.” I just really focus on telling myself to be calm and to fight and enjoy. Even if I lose, I tell myself: “I played a great match. I had fun on the court.” I don't really focus on winning or losing right now. Especially now. I’ve had such a great run over the last few weeks I'm just enjoying myself right.
Karl: That is a refreshing attitude.
Read about another young gun, 16-year-old American Zach Svajda, in an exclusive interview, here:(LINK)
Comments