Bautista aspires to everything in Miami without Nadal, Federer and Djokovic

Roberto Bautista Agut (Castellón, 32 years old) is looking forward to the first Masters 1,000 stop this season in Miami. Florida brings good memories to Castellón, since there reached the quarterfinals in 2019 after defeating Novak Djokovic, in what has been his best performance to date in a tournament that was not held in 2020 due to the pandemic. Remember it well Rober, that last year he was 'thrown' in the middle of the airport before heading to the American tour as a result of the suspension of the ATP circuit. With renewed energy after lose the finals in Montpellier and Doha, Bautista analyzes for AS his options for success in Miami against the absences of Nole himself, Nadal and Federer. He will debut on Friday against South African Lloyd Harris, a finalist last week in Dubai.

How do you rate your season so far?

The Australian Open did not go as expected, at least, as I had prepared. What I wanted at the beginning of the season was to play a lot of games because at the end of last year I was injured, and that I have achieved. After the Australian tour I had a tough, demanding month, but in the end I was able to compete for more matches.

Although we are at the beginning of the course, you have already been able to play two finals. What was missing against Goffin and Basilashvili, respectively, to get the title?

Against Goffin I started well. I think I signed a good set and a half, but the rivals also play. In that match, Goffin played very well and did merit to win. In Doha I played a flawless tournament until the final, and even that day I think I had a good performance. The first set could be for either of them and the conditions were difficult due to the strong wind, which greatly affected the game. But I'm happy to have played two finals and to have looked competitive again.

Last year was conditioned by the pandemic, so few tournaments were played. Do you miss winning a title? (Roberto is not a champion since the Doha tournament in 2019)

Yes, it is missed. One of my goals this year is to win a title again. I have had it very close twice and I hope that by the end of the year I can have another opportunity like that. The most important thing is that I have come from playing high-level matches in Doha and that I have found myself again in full swing. I have competition rhythm, which is what I wanted to find despite the fact that the last month was hard physically and mentally.

Together with Albert Ramos, he is the only Spaniard who has managed to reach at least one final this year in ATP tournaments. Does it put added pressure in tournaments?

The truth is, no. In the world of tennis there is always pressure, demand, responsibility … The tennis player has to learn to live with it and manage it. There are times when it is done well, others when the pressure can take you a little more, but it is something that we have very much in mind on a day-to-day basis.

A little over a year ago he stayed at the airport, on the verge of traveling to the Indian Wells and Miami Masters due to the stoppage suffered by the ATP circuit. Do you see the situation with more optimism now?

Yes, this year everything is standing and we will travel to Miami. It is very good news that the tournament can be held, although not in the ideal conditions that we would have liked. In the end we can do our job and go out to compete, which is the most important thing.

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With the absences in Miami of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, do you see yourself with a better chance of achieving a nice result in the tournament?

They will not be the three of them and neither will Thiem, so there are four important casualties. It is clear that tennis today is very even, any rival can beat you if you are not well, but a priori, that these four players are not in the tournament is good for those of us who are going to play the tournament.

Although this week is low, Federer returned to the courts in Doha after a year of absence. What does your return mean for the circuit?

It involves a lot of expectation. When Roger plays again there are a lot of spotlights on him, a lot of attention. I think it is very positive for tennis that he is back and that he lasts as long as possible because both he, Rafa and Novak mean a lot to tennis as they are world icons of sport. They make tennis more talk and more important.

Carlos Alcaraz has already left samples of his quality and promising future with his first match won at the Australian Open. How have you seen your start in the tennis elite?

I have had the opportunity to train with him several times and I believe that he is a player with a lot of projection, that he has a high level and that in the not too distant future he will be one of the best Spanish tennis players. I hope and wish you have a good career. He is a very good boy, a hard worker, he loves this sport and I think he will represent Spanish tennis very well.

Despite being a year late, everything indicates that the Tokyo Games will be held this summer. Are you excited to be there?

It will be difficult. I cannot imagine an Olympic Games without an audience or behind closed doors. Right now I can't see it. But the experience in this event is special, it is held every four years and it is a dream of any athlete to be able to represent their country at the Olympics.

What will your calendar be in the coming months of competition?

I will be in Miami this week and then I will start the dirt tour with Monte Carlo, Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros. Then I will play a tournament on grass in preparation for Wimbledon.

Apart from the goal of winning a title, what more do you ask of 2021?

See myself competitive with the best. If that comes and I play at this level, the numbers will be good at the end of the year. I can't say if I'm going to be number 5 or 15, but my goal is to be as close to the top ten as possible.