In the wake of an ongoing pandemic causing havoc across the world, Spanish tennis star Pablo Andujar admits that suspension of the ATP Tour does enable him to do one thing he would have not been able to do.
At present all competitive tournaments have been suspended until June 7th due to the deadly Coronavirus. In Andujar’s homeland of Spain, there have been more than 17000 cases of the virus with over 700 deaths related to it. He is currently at home with his family and limiting his time spent outdoors, which includes spending some days housebound. Although it isn’t all doom and gloom.
“Now until June I cannot play. But as far as it goes, I am enjoying time with my children and my wife, who under normal conditions is difficult with so much travel.” Andujar told Marca.com.
“I am doing everything we are told. If I go out, I do it with gloves and before I go to the supermarket I put the disinfectant gel in the entrance to make the purchase.” He added.
Andujar is currently ranked 53rd in the world and usually relies on the European clay-court swing to boost his points tally. Which will no longer happen in 2020, except for the French Open later this year. He has played nine ATP finals so far in his career and all of those have been on the clay. Including the Grand Prix Hassan II last year.
Like his fellow players, the problem facing the 34-year-old is trying to maintain his fitness and form. Many gyms have been closed and the public has been told to stay indoors. For the top players this isn’t as much as a problem due to them having personal fitness areas in their own houses. But it isn’t the same situation for all of those on the tour.
“I have an exercise bike, some dumbbells and elastic bands. I’m pulling with this. I spend an hour a day or so. I can’t do anything else because everything is closed.” He commented on his current fitness routines.
“I have varied it (my diet) and the truth is that it is more messy. I will arrive with (put on) several kilos but we are going to be without playing for three months and there is time to get in shape.”
Although it isn’t the physical side that Andujar believes is the most challenging for him under current circumstances, it is the mental aspect.
“Tennis players always set goals and now we have none. For me the goal is to stay as fit as possible so that the day I play again becomes less difficult.” He explains.
“I have been unlucky because this year my ranking has allowed me to enter all tournaments.”
According to the ATP, Andujar is the 10th oldest player in the top 100 and is four years younger than Roger Federer. He has undergone three elbow surgeries during his career.
