The event, which brought together fans and young talents, continued this Saturday at the Club de Tenis Almería, the organizer of the activity. This day represented the second and final opportunity to share with the former tennis player, who returned to the city where, more than two decades ago, he won two gold medals at the Almería 2005 Mediterranean Games.
The day began early in the morning with a round table moderated by members of the Almería Sports Journalists Association. The discussion included the president of the host club, a city councilor, and the territorial director of a media outlet, among others. The president of the Club de Tenis Almería highlighted the importance of the former tennis player's presence and recalled his triumphs at the Almería 2005 Mediterranean Games, achieved precisely at the club's facilities.
“"It is a pleasure to be here. I have always said that I am fortunate in life; I have made almost all my dreams come true. Sportingly, I can ask little more from my career."
During the colloquium, which lasted approximately an hour, the former tennis player reviewed his successful career, which led him to reach the top ten of the ATP world ranking before retiring in 2019. He emphasized the difficulty of reaching the elite of tennis, stating that the goal is not only to train champions but also people capable of solving problems and enjoying the process. He also stressed the importance of learning to manage defeat in such a demanding sport.
The former tennis player also reflected on his decision to leave professional sports, indicating that his priority had shifted towards his family and the need to detox from tennis. He addressed the role of parents in their children's sports development, warning against unrealistic expectations that everyone can make a living from professional tennis.
The activity concluded on the courts of the Club de Tenis Almería, where the youngest participants had the opportunity to learn directly from the former tennis player. After a series of morning training sessions and exercises, an exhibition and a backhand technique session were held. In the afternoon, the event concluded with a Tie Break Tens session, bringing a memorable day in Almería to an end.
