Daniel Mérida Aguilar (Madrid, 17 years old) will help the Spanish Davis Cup team from the start of the call, next Saturday, until the conclusion of the Finals of the country competition next Sunday, December 5. This year he participated in the junior tournaments of Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, and a few days ago he won his first professional tournament, an M15, the LVI Copa Alameda: XXXVII ITF Villa de Madrid. He is excited about the opportunity offered by the Spanish Tennis Federation and tells AS.
Who is Dani Mérida?
Well, I’m a boy from Madrid, where I was born and started playing at the Alcalá de Henares Tennis School when I was four years old. Until I was 10 I was there and then I went to Alicante because my family wanted to go there and I entered the Club Atlético Montemar, where I continue now. I’m going back to the capital because all my people are from there and they still considered me a Madrilenian.
Do you already have a professional team?
Yes. Albert Alcaraz, Iván Navarro and Israel Sevilla train me. And I have José Luis Hernández as a physical trainer. The one who accompanies me the most now on my trips is Alcaraz, who is the one who is most above me and among the guys from the club who have the highest level.
Who are your references in tennis?
Above all, Rafa Nadal. Also Verdasco and Feliciano (López). And from outside Spain, Federer, which I like a lot.
What stands out about Nadal and Federer?
From Nadal I am left with the intensity, the desire that he puts into all the matches, how he fights, how he tries to win each point… From Federer, with the technique and quality he has, how easy he makes it playing.
What did you think of the experience of playing in the Grand Slams?
Amazing. Being with the professional players in the locker rooms and the dining room is an experience of a lifetime. I loved the three of them, because seeing the best in the world up close and seeing what they do is priceless. But I don’t know yet if I will return, because I want to enter the professional circuit next year. Also, it is not certain that there is a junior tournament in Australia. If there is, I may go.
And now comes this opportunity to train with Spain. How do you see it?
I’m really looking forward to it, because being with the greats of Spanish tennis is what I’ve been dreaming of since I was little, going to a Davis Cup and being with them training. I will try to look at what they do. I am very happy that they chose me.
What was that first professional trophy like?
A very good week, with all the games at a very good level in a difficult tournament, because some were played in Alameda and due to rain, some were in the City of the Racket. But in general, I gave a great level and in the previous weeks I had worked very hard, so winning is a motivation.
Describe as a tennis player…
I am an aggressive tennis player and I like to send and shoot hard, especially on the forehand, although my best shot is the backhand, I like the parallel a lot. Also, I usually serve well, that’s why I define myself as aggressive. I try to take the initiative of the points all the time.
What dreams and aspirations do you have?
Next year I want to continue growing and reach as high as possible. Someday I would like to play a Grand Slam, but above all to do it well, try to win tournaments and level up to the top.
Are young people very motivated to see someone like Carlos Alcaraz standing out at 18?
Yes, because I have also known him for a long time, and you realize that it is possible to get there by seeing him there with the best winning. For young kids it is a motivation to look at him and learn from what he does.