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Biofile with Jose Antonio Salazar Martin
9 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Status: ATP #1421. Competed in U.S. Open junior boys draw.
DOB: May 6, 1994 In: Canary Island, Spain
First Tennis Memory: “When I started my tennis education I didn’t like tennis very much because soccer was my sport (age 7). I’d only go to tennis two days a week and I was kind of feeling like, ‘I want to get out of here to play soccer.'”
Tennis Inspirations: “When my brother, who is two years older, he’s 20 right now, started tennis, and because my brother was there playing, I started mixing with him. And he had a coach, Ivan Medina, who told me, ‘You have all the skills to develop into a good player.’ And ever since being with him, 10 years now, he has been my inspiration, as a coach. As a player, Roger Federer is my favorite.”
Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: “Because I learned to love it. And it’s like a means of expression for me to do whatever I can do from the point of view of the court.”
Greatest Tennis Moment, To This Point: “Without a doubt, the U.S. Open (2012). And not only the two matches that I won, especially the match that was three hours and six minutes, but I played even better against Liam Broady who made the final. I gave him a run for his money. I think my best tennis match was the one that I lost.”
Most Painful Moment: “Last year I played for the championship of Spain, under 18 years old. I was 17 when I played the final. The opponent (David Jorda) had a huge serve and he played short points. I was getting kind of bored because I like the long rallies. In the last set I lost 6-4. I missed being the champion of Spain, it didn’t happen.”
Strangest Match: “In a final of a junior tournament, it was a big crowd, a very nice setting. They should have canceled the match. I play my best, I was making great points and some spectators would go (soft, light applause). And because the opponent was the favorite, he’d make a mis-hit or a netcord and the crowd would (erupt in celebration). It was on clay. There was a key point in the third set and because it was clay, the ball was clearly out. And I said to come and see the bounce mark. And the umpire said the ball was good. I was basically robbed.”
First Famous Tennis Player You Met: “Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland when I was 12. He was 200 ATP or 100 at the time six years ago. He won the Challenger in Tenerife. And he was once #48 or 49 in the ranking but now he’s over 100. He just played the qualies of the U.S. Open here. We played a practice, before he was in the final. We only played one tiebreak. And I lost 7-4.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “About four months ago in Valencia. I played with a very low-ranked player and lost in straight sets. I wanted to leave the court because the opponent wasn’t up to par. And at the end I even had the feeling I want to quit the game of tennis. I was double disappointed in myself.”
Which Match Did You Feel At Your Very Best: “It was in Tunisia, I played a Futures quarterfinal against the #18 junior in the world. At the end of the match I hurt my leg and I couldn’t come to the semifinal. It was a Futures – which was a big tournament for me. I won the quarterfinal and the following day I couldn’t come to the court. I was crying the night before because I knew I couldn’t come to play the semifinal.”
Racquet Used: “Volkl Organic.”
Shoes/Attire: “K-Swiss.”
Other Sponsors: Tenerife Tourism. Great Bay Hotel in Tenerife. Puenta Alta bottled spring water.
Favorite Court To Play On: “I remember in Croatia, I got a wildcard into an ATP 250. And I passed the first round and in the second – I knew it was really, really difficult because it was ATP 250 – but I played – it was on clay – and I hate clay. And for me, all was perfect, the weather, the people, the balls. I was winning 5-3 in the first set. But finally I lost 7-6 6-3 to Marco Trungelliti of Argentina.”
Toughest Competitor Encountered: “An Australian guy (Michael Look) in the Futures tournament. At that tournament in Malaysia, I got my first ATP point. The next match I played the Australian, who was #367 ATP. It was very tough. I was down 0-5 in the first set and eventually I came back and had a set point in the first set. I lost the first set 10-8 in the tiebreaker. And after that I won the second set (6-3) but lost in the third (4-6).”
Jose meets Novak Djokovic in the player lounge cafeteria at U.S. Open.
Translation assistance from Carlos Di Palma.
"Tennis is a means of expression"
Steve · September 10, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Playing in Croatia would be sweet. Did you tell him of your love for all things Volkl?
Carlos Di Palma · September 12, 2012 at 11:21 am
Jose was very happy with your interview and by now a lot of people in Europe has read it.
And I guess that you were also very happy that you played with him.
Scoop Malinowski · September 12, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Carlos, Jose was the best Biofile I ever did with a junior player, usually the replies of juniors are brief and simple but Jose was very descriptive and detailed about his memories. I liked very much his answers about how at first he preferred soccer and at tennis practice found himself wanting it to end to play soccer but then he gradually grew to love tennis and it became “a means of expression.” It’s very interesting for a teenager to speak on such terms, he has a very mature view of the sport. I was impressed by Jose in so many ways, both on court and off. How he was helpful to everyone he hit with and how he experienced and expressed joy in playing and practicing over the hours we were there. It was an unfogettable afternoon. Thank you again Carlos for making it possible.
Steve · September 12, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Scoop,
What kind of grip does he use on the forehand? I see he prefers hard court to clay which seems rare for a Spanish player.
Christopher Greydak · September 12, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Good luck to Jose. He is a nice guy and very talented tennis player.
Scoop Malinowski · September 12, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Steve, I’m the wrong guy to ask about that stuff, not even sure what grip I play with : ) Jose did say his forehand is the weaker side and challenged me to attack it when we hit, and not to go to his backhand which is lethal. I kept going to his backhand and he passed me every single time too! Sometimes with stunning shots.
Perry · September 13, 2012 at 1:55 am
He’s using a semi-western forehand.
Steve · September 13, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Cool. Amazing you got to hit with a legit pro and had some exchanges. Must be a very nice guy.
Dan Markowitz · September 13, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Nice article. Will be on the lookout Jose as I’m not aware of many Spaniards coming up. I know the USO juniors was won by a Canadian who also won the Wimby juniors. Salazar is a very big running name in America with one of the greatest marathoners, Alberto Salazar, who’s now coach to the winner of the Olympic 5 and 10 k races. So hopefully, Jose can motor.