Pablo Andujar on beating Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem: Christmas came early for me

Spanish tennis veteran Pablo Andujar, 35, is enjoying the best days of his career after beating Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem in a span of two weeks. 

Andujar recovered from a set down to beat Federer in Geneva, before he recovered from two sets down to beat Thiem at the French Open. 

“These are gifts that tennis brings you,” Andujar said, per the ATP website. “I’m a guy who has never really been on the front covers or in the spotlight, and for me, these two victories are like Father Christmas came early. 

“For me, this is like Father Christmas came and gave me two victories that I could never have dreamed that I could achieve in my career.” 

Andujar full of confidence after beating Federer

“I think it’s true that the victory over Roger has made me believe today,” Andujar said. “Maybe in another moment, I wouldn’t have kept fighting in that third set or believing that I could turn it around.”

Andujar kept it classy after beating Thiem. 

“I told him, ‘tough luck’. It’s what I always tell my opponents when I win, and he told me ‘great match and best of luck,’” Andujar revealed. “In the end, it’s not that it felt bittersweet, but it kind of did. Because unfortunately, I know what it feels like. I know that feeling more than winning.

“So always, making sure your rival is okay – because at the end of the day, we’re all peers here – is important and that’s what I was trying to do with Dominic. And besides, he’s a great guy.” 

Playing Thiem and beating him was something that Andujar will never forget.

“I’ve always said that the bad part of my injury was that I had to stop for such a long time, but the good side is that I’ve learned to enjoy all of the tournaments that I play,” Andujar said. “I enjoy every match now. 

“Of course, it’s easier to say this after a win, but it has been a great moment, playing against Dominic Thiem on Philippe Chatrier. This, to me, is a gift and this always helps keep me calm.”

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3c8GxJc