Granollers: “No couple is above the others”

Marcel Granollers (Barcelona, ​​34 years old) will begin his fifth participation in the ATP Masters doubles tournament tomorrow. With the Argentine Horacio Zeballos as a couple, he will debut this Monday against Peers and Venus in the Bob Bryan Group in which Pavic-Soares and Melzer-Roger Vasselin are also present. He hopes to repeat the success of 2012, when he was champion in 2012, in a very similar specialty.

What are your expectations for the Masters this year?

Hello, when you are here, you have done things well during the year and have had good results. It is the final prize for a good season.

Also, his partner with Zeballos is working …

We have known each other for a long time, we play against each other in both singles and doubles. Until last year in Montreal we had not gotten together and we won the title. Over time we have improved, with training sessions and games. We get to know each other better every day.

What are your strengths?

We have a very similar way of seeing and playing doubles. It's good, because online we are comfortable and we can adapt to various styles of play and different surfaces. We have won fast track and gravel tournaments. We are complete and that makes us play well.

Is it important to get along with your partner or is it not necessary?

I like that the relationship goes beyond being teammates on the court. We met for many years, we are of the same generation and we have seen each other since the days of the Challengers. The common language also helps.

How do you see the tournament?

The doubles are even. No couple is above the others. The moment of each one, the dynamics is what can tip the balance. Everything is decided by details and the results are very tight.

You were already a champion, why not dream of another title …

Hopefully, but we're still far from that. The Masters is long and you depend on yourself and others. You have to be focused every day because sets and games can determine the ranking.

How does it take to play without an audience?

It has happened to me many times before the pandemic. But playing in such a big stadium without people is cold. You have to find motivation. This is better than not playing.

Do you drop singles?

I haven't played since the 2019 Canadian 1,000 Masters. My priority is doubles and I think I can hold out for a few more years, because I'm fine.