Forum fanów tenisa ziemnego, gdzie znajdziesz komentarze internautów, wyniki, skróty spotkań, statystyki, materiały prasowe, typery i inne informacje o turniejach ATP i WTA.
Data urodzenia: 05.05.1997 Miejsce urodzenia: Santanyí, Hiszpania Narodowość: Hiszpania Miejsce zamieszkania: Barcelona, Hiszpania Wzrost: 180 cm Masa ciała: 78 kg Gra: praworęczny, oburęczny backhand Status profesjonalny: Od 2014 Podopieczny Akademii Tenisowej Rafy Nadala
CH Segovia: Munar po raz pierwszy na zapleczu ATP!
Spoiler:
20-year-old Spaniard soars to Top 200 with first Challenger title
It was exactly 14 years ago that a precocious 17-year-old Spaniard named Rafael Nadal stood on centre court in Segovia, with both arms clutching the ATP Challenger Tour trophy.
Fast forward to Sunday and another Mallorca native was reveling in the same experience. Jaume Munar celebrated his maiden Challenger title at the Open Castilla y Leon, claiming a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Aussie teen Alex de Minaur. He dropped just one set during his breakthrough week on home soil, which included a signature win over top seed Marcel Granollers in the quarter-finals.
"I'm very happy," Munar told ATPWorldTour.com. "For me, these last few months were very difficult. I did not win many matches, despite all the work I was putting into my game. To win this tournament at home is very significant, especially in front of my parents. I owe them everything to be where I am today. And now I want to win more. This has just begun."
The 20 year old, who grew up idolising his fellow Mallorcan, is coached by Nadal's close friend Tomeu Salva at his academy. It is apropos that Munar's first title came in Segovia, which is one of the oldest and most presitigious tournaments in all of Spain. Held at the Villa de El Espinar and under the guidance of tournament director and former WTA star Virginia Ruano Pascual, it celebrated its 32nd edition last week.
Munar became the eighth Spanish champion in the past 20 years, joining the likes of Sergi Bruguera (2000), Nadal (2003), Fernando Verdasco (2007), Feliciano Lopez (2009) and Pablo Carreno Busta (2013), among others. Juan Martin del Potro also lifted the trophy in 2006.
"This was a very important step for me, because in the end, [the ATP Challenger Tour] is a stage that you have to fight through. When I won my first Futures title, many followed. Now I hope this is the same in Challengers. In tennis, it is very important to believe in yourself. There have been some amazing players who have won here [in Segovia] and have gone on to the Top 100 and higher. It motivates me to continue on this path."
Munar's victory extends a strong stretch for Spaniards on the ATP Challenger Tour, marking the nation's fourth straight week with a title. Fellow Spanish youngster Nicola Kuhn, aged 17, won in Braunschweig, and was followed by Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in Scheveningen and Roberto Carballes Baena in Cortina.
In addition, the 20 year old vaulted 101 spots in the Emirates ATP Rankings to a career-high No. 200. It was truly a breakout week for the Spaniard, who was mired in a 1-6 run in Challenger events coming into the tournament. Moreover, he had never won a main draw hard-court match in his career at the Challenger level.
"I just want to continue growing every day," Munar added. "To dedicate myself to being professional and maintain this focus on my game. I know there have been a few tournaments that I showed that I have this level and now I have to stay on this path. Everyone has their own process and I look forward to what is to come of mine."
MTT: Tytuły (8): US OPEN 2012 -debel, Sztokholm 2012, Australian Open 2013 - debel, Abu Dhabi 2014, Barcelona 2014, Australian Open 2016 - debel, Marsylia 2018, ATP Finals 2018 - debel
Finały (8): US OPEN 2013, Monte Carlo 2014, Umag 2014, Rotterdam 2015, Sydney 2016, US OPEN 2016 - debel, Winston-Salem 2018, US OPEN 2018 - debel
Jaume Munar reveals how he takes inspiration from Rafael Nadal
Spoiler:
Jaume Munar is one of the young professional players who train at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. The 21-year-old, currently 161st ATP Ranked, takes inspiration from his compatriot, a 31-year-old World No. 1, in trying to join the tennis elite as well.
'Rafa's best thing is his simpleness as a person and tennis player', Munar told AS. 'His trayectory teaches you that as a player you don't have to valorise wins more than what they are and that losses can't let down you. This mentality is what makes him improve every day to try win every year. His effort ability is what I like the most of Rafa.'
'He was always very close to me, but in the last years I saw myself more in him than other ones. For me, for any Spaniard and any tennis fan it needs to be a reference point, because his way to face every moment and all what he has given is amazing. Everyone needs to hold a little bit of respect for him.'
Munar: 'After Beating Ferrer, I Can Safely Say I Am A Pro Player'
Spoiler:
Former junior finalist to play Djokovic in second round
World No. 155 Jaume Munar provided a vision of Spain’s tennis future on Monday at Roland Garros, landing the biggest victory of his career in a battle of the generations.
The 21-year-old, in only his ninth tour-level match (3-6) and just his second at a Grand Slam championship, knocked out David Ferrer, a Spanish tennis legend of the past 15 years. Munar recovered from an 0-2 sets deficit and 3-5 in the deciding set to beat 2013 finalist Ferrer 3-6, 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 7-5 in four hours and 15 minutes for a place in the second round.
"It's the most important victory of my career," said Munar. "Regardless of how the match went, I came back two-sets-to-love down to a role model in David Ferrer, doing it at Roland Garros, on clay and in a match like this. It has been a dream come true. This victory is a confirmation that I have taken a step forward."
Former World No. 3 Ferrer, who was competing at Roland Garros for the 16th straight season (44-16), had never before lost in the first round in the French capital.
Munar overcame a slow start and jitters to turn the match around in the final three sets.
"Honestly, I wasn't happy with the way things were going and my level of play in the first two sets," Munar said. "I fell into that hole where I let my nerves take over and I started out shaky, just like I did at the Australian Open. In the third set, I let loose and that was a turning point. I'm pleased with how I handled myself in the tie-break. I couldn't have asked for sweeter outcome."
It is the highest-ranked victory of Munar’s career, in a completed tour-level match, following wins over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez at the 2015 German Tennis Championships (1-2 ret.) and Joao Sousa at last month’s Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (6-4, 3-6, 7-5).
Munar is currently the 13th-placed player from Spain, which boast nine in the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings. The 2014 junior Roland Garros finalist will next challenge No. 20 seed Novak Djokovic, the 2016 champion, in the second round.
You May Also Like: Djokovic Opens Campaign, Records 60th Match Win At Roland Garros
Now that he's through to the next round, it's time to answer the question: Who is Jaume Munar? Allow him to answer:
"I'm a normal guy from Mallorca," Munar said. "I started playing soccer when I was three years old; tennis was more of a side hobby but I began focusing on tennis after a while because I enjoyed the atmosphere more. My tennis game grew day after day and soon I was taking the sport more seriously.
“After this match against Ferrer, I feel like I can safely say I'm a professional player and that I'm ready to dedicate myself exclusively to tennis. It's a privilege to be where I am today."
Hard work and getting the most out of himself is nothing new to Munar; a strong work ethic was ingrained into his mind from an early age.
"Even outside of tennis, I'm the type of person who gives it his all, no matter what I'm doing,” Munar said. “On a scale from one to 10, my effort is always a 10. It's all or nothing; 100 per cent all the time. For example, if my studies required my attention until 10 at night, then I'd be studying until 10 at night. If I needed to study until 5 in the morning, then that's what I'd do. That's how I was brought up since I was a kid. You put your best into what you have to do, especially if it's your job. When you reach that point, giving your all isn't something extra, it's the norm.”
Munar trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Mallorca, and it isn't odd to see Nadal or other members of the 16-time Grand Slam champion's team in the stands during Munar's matches. Munar appreciates the advice and guidance he receives from his mentor.
Coach Tomeu Salva is another figure to play a prominent role in Munar's growth. Munar considers Salva as a big brother as well as his trainer.
"Salva's presence has been really important to me," Munar said. "I wouldn't say I was lost at one point, but he helped redirect me and get back on the right path when I returned to Mallorca following a personal issue. I left home to pursue my career at an early age and up to that point, I was used to spending time and being around my family. When I went out there on my own, I started feeling lonely and I missed my family a lot. Tomeu helped me find myself and that’s essential to adjusting to life on the tour. He knows me really well and he knows how to deal with me, both on and off the court.
"Tomeu can bring me back on track without being invasive. He's the main figure in my tennis life. Between my family on him, they're the most important people in my career."
Although it's a matter that looms over him, Munar, currently No. 15 in the ATP Race to Milan, sees the Next Gen ATP Finals as a goal that will require hours of work on the court and thousands of kilometers on the road.
"I'm going to have to put in a lot of time and effort before I can consider playing in Milan as something realistic," Munar said. "I've got a long way to go. I don't know the exact numbers, but I do know the players ahead of me are superb. We're talking about dominant players who are also in the Top 50 in the ATP Rankings. They've achieved so much, so I don't know where I fit in with them yet. A more realistic goal for me is to finish the year in the Top 100 and if I achieve more than that, fantastic."
Second seed Zverev, French No. 1 Pouille also in action on Wednesday
Is #NextGenATP's Jaume Munar the most likely man to lead Spanish tennis into the 2020s and become the nation's greatest hope when Rafael Nadal eventually steps aside (hopefully many years from now)? Maybe. One thing we do know: Munar will try to channel his best Rafa impersonation against Nadal's great rival, Novak Djokovic, Wednesday at Roland Garros as second-round action begins.
Munar earned his first Grand Slam victory on Monday, coming back from two sets down to beat Spanish tennis icon David Ferrer. The 21-year-old Barcelona resident called it “the most important victory” of his career.
Next for Munar: 2016 champion Djokovic. Welcome to the big league, Jaume.
You May Also Like: Munar: 'After Beating Ferrer, I Can Safely Say I Am A Pro Player'
Djokovic has looked much more like his old self during the past three weeks, making his first quarter-final and semi-final of the year at the Internazional BNL d'Italia in Rome earlier this month. He routed Rogerio Dutra Silva of Brazil on Monday to kick off his Paris stay. Is Djokovic back for good? How he shapes up against Munar, second on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, will be a telling indicator.
Eighth seed David Goffin and 19-year-old Frenchmen Corentin Moutet follow Djokovic-Munar in another battle of established pro against #NextGenATP player. Goffin made coming back from two sets down look easy on Sunday as he beat Robin Haase 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-0. He'll hope for less drama against Moutet, another contender for the 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals, to be held 6-10 November in Milan.
See Who's Leading The ATP Race To Milan
On Court Philippe-Chatrier, a pair of Frenchmen will look to please the home crowd and reach the third round. Benoit Paire brings a 2-3 FedEx ATP Head2Head record against 19th seed Kei Nishikori. The 29-year-old Paire is 0-2 against Nishikori on clay, including a 2013 third-round match at Roland Garros. But don't underestimate the power of a home crowd behind a player with loads of potential.
Wrapping up play on Court Philippe-Chatrier will be top Frenchman Lucas Pouille and Brit Cameron Norrie, who cracked the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings at No. 85 this week. Pouille eased past 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier Daniil Medvedev of Russia 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round.
It's been 35 years since France's Yannick Noah won Roland Garros in 1983. No other Frenchman has matched the feat – or won another Grand Slam title – in the Open Era.
Second seed Alexander Zverev will face a confident Dusan Lajovic of Serbia on Court 1. Lajovic made his maiden ATP World Tour Masters 1000 quarter-final in Madrid, but Zverev has also enjoyed quite the clay-court season as well. The 21-year-old has won two titles – Munich and Madrid – and reached another Masters 1000 final in Rome (l. to Nadal).
Read More: Coach Moya's Takeaways From Nadal's Win
Fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov has no titles to date on the clay – or at all this year. But it only takes one match to grab momentum. The Bulgarian, who reached the semi-finals at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters last month, faces Jared Donaldson of the U.S.
In one of the more intriguing matchups, two-time semi-finalist Dominic Thiem meets a player who beat him on clay just last month. #NextGenATP Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas swept Thiem 6-3, 6-2 en route to his maiden ATP World Tour final at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell.
But after that, Thiem beat Nadal en route to his second Masters 1000 final (Madrid) and won his 10th ATP World Tour title in Lyon.
In other matches worth keeping an eye on, 13th seed Roberto Bautista Agut will face Colombian Santiago Giraldo; 30th seed Fernando Verdasco of Spain meets Guido Andreozzi of Argentina; Pablo Carreno Busta, 10th seed, will try to avoid an upset against Argentina's Federico Delbonis; 26th seed Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina plays Moldova's Radu Albot; and Frenchman Gilles Simon will try to beat Sam Querrey of the U.S. for the fifth time (Simon leads FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 4-3).
Rafael Nadal makes brutal Novak Djokovic prediction about Jaume Munar French Open clash
Spoiler:
Rafael Nadal has backed Novak Djokovic to beat Jaume Munar tomorrow
Munar said he would be enlisting the help of the world No 1 as he tries to do his countryman a favour by eliminating a key rival from the French Open.
Nadal is hoping to win his 11th Roland Garros title but he says Munar has “nil” chance of getting past Djokovic.
Munar came through qualifying before beating David Ferrer in the opening round.
But his competition could come to an end when he faces Djokovic in round two tomorrow.
However, Nadal has encouraged the 21-year-old to enjoy the occasion.
Rafael Nadal is one of the most expressive tennis players on the tour
“Well, that it's going to be very hard, very tough,” Nadal said.
“The chances of winning are practically nil.
“You have to be very realistic knowing what the situation is, and from there go to the court and enter the court and enjoy and know that you have to do things that sometimes you're not used to doing in order to enjoy the match.
“I think that that's the most important.
Rafael Nadal Novak Djokovic French Open GETTY
Munar beat David Ferrer in the first round
“You have to accept that the match is going to be practically impossible to win.
“But you don't know what can happen, of course.
“I have been in such situations, and I have been in matches that are practically impossible to win.
“But you go and you really play very tough without worrying, without being concerned, continue to be focused but play, enjoying it, and play very bravely, because you have to know that it can be totally impossible.”
Jaume Munar 
