Q & A with Amanda Carreras after a great start to 2015
She has come back shining in these first months of 2015 thanks to three wins (2 singles tournaments and one doubles) in two weeks spent in Palmanova. We interviewed Amanda Carreras, 343 in the world, who shared with us her feelings and thougts about her career and her tennis rebirth along with the problems she had to overcome. She was born in Gibilterra but now she lives in Barcellona, trained by coach Carlos Lobato. Her path to the summit is still long but she is resolute: "The best is yet to come".
1) First of all, can you tell me something about Point to Prove? What is it, how it helps players and how it helped you?
I think the aim of Point to Prove is to find potential small and medium type sponsors for players of lower ranking players like myself who find it harder to attract top sponsorship to be able to compete at high level tennis. Point to Prove has helped me in the sense that it has marketed me to a bigger audience and therefore potentially closer to a future sponsorship deal.
2) What do you think about these first months of 2015?
I am very happy with my start to 2015 as I've won 2 singles and 1 doubles titles to date. 2014 was not a good year for me as I had to recover from a career threatening hip operation which I undertook in November 2013 and kept me out of the game for 6 months. My world ranking obviously suffered and I practically had to restart my career. Thankfully my operation was a success and I am now returning back to my best form.
3) Also, we have noticed in Italy too your great condition. What has changed from the last few years?
I am a short player only measuring 5' 2'' so have to adapt my game to be able to compete at a high level against very good opposition. I prize myself on being extra fit and very fast around the court to counter for my lack in height. I have a very dedicated professional team behind me in Barcelona where I have been based since the age of 15 years. My family who have always supported me are also a very big factor in my success.
4) You have just made it into the top 400 (343 at the moment). Do you think you will improve your best ranking of 306 in the world?
In the future I would like to play for as long as possible ( injury permitting) and as high a standard as possible. I am still only 24 years old so feel that I have still got a few more years left in me. Id like to think that I have still not reached anywhere near my peak. The two recent $10K singles title wins have given me a platform to launch myself into the top 250 in the world which is my main aim this year. Next year I would like to break into the top 200. Then who knows.
5) What are your plans for the future? Do you already have a defined schedule for this year?
My coach Carlos Lobato who I have worked with for the last 8 years takes care of my schedule. In addition to playing 25K and 50K ITF tournaments this year, we would like to compete in the grass season in the UK and hopefully get into the Wimbledon Qualifiers.
6) Finally, which are the main problems a tennis player like you has to face in her career?
Tennis is a very tough sport both physically and mentally. I think the most important aspect of a successful tennis career is that you steer clear of injuries by taking care of your body form a very early age. Your body will always remember if it hasn't been treated well and will come back to haunt you. As a player you must be also prepared to work hard and travel the world therefore spending a lot of time away from your loved ones. The drive to achieve and excel yourself at the highest level makes all of the hard work and lonely times well worth it.
