Víctoria Jiménez, 14-year-old Andorra, wins the junior tournament: “Nadal is my favorite of all”

Victoria Jiménez Kasintseva made historical past this Saturday for Andorra's tennis by profitable the junior title of the Australian Open, first achieved by a tennis participant, male or feminine, from the Principality in a Grand Slam. The shock of his triumph is that Vicky, as he is known as at dwelling, did so with solely 14 years. In the last, which was performed at the Rod Laver Enviornment, he received by 5-7, 6-2 and 6-2 in two hours and 4 minutes to Polish Weronika Baszak, of 17. He had beforehand eradicated the British Mutavdzic (15), the Czech Lavickova (18), the Italian Delai (17), the American Montgomery (15), second favorite, and the Australian Gadecki (17).

Jiménez, seeded quantity 9, got here out “nervous” in the last, on an enormous stage (“He had by no means performed on such an enormous monitor,” he mentioned), however when he stopped “pondering an excessive amount of,” he recovered his tennis and climbed. “It was spectacular, I didn't assume I might get this far right here. I'm very proud of this, that it wouldn't have been doable with out my father.” The lady emphasizes the function of his father, and likewise coach, Joan Jiménez Guerra, former Andorran participant who trains him in Sitges, at the Terramar Golf Membership. He is additionally suggested by Jordi Arrese, former Spanish captain of Davis. With a powerful presence for its age (it measures 1.79), it surprises its information earlier than the cameras and microphones, and its very excessive degree of languages. He speaks completely Spanish, Catalan, French, English (he lived for a time in Kentucky) and Russian, the language of his mom, Yulia Kasintseva. “I feel in Spanish and plenty of instances in English,” he says. “It is one of the greatest I carry.”

“I’ve quite a bit of persona, in the good and in the unhealthy,” Victoria thinks, that when he feels anger he seems at his father as a result of he “helps quite a bit.” “The household for an athlete is fundamental, it is the most vital factor. I don't know what I might do with out my dad and mom, as a result of they may at all times love me for what I’m.” Vicky will play his first WTA match this 12 months and he doesn't put in quite a bit of stress. He has represented Spain circumstantially (in a Roland Garros U-12 match, for instance), however he feels “very proud” of having achieved the title by enjoying for Andorra. The lady is clear about her references: “Rafa Nadal is my favorite of all, amongst women and men, and I like Petra Kvitova very a lot, as a result of she is left-handed (like her)”.

Gauff and Nadal

Though some evaluate him to Coco Gauff (15 years outdated), she doesn't prefer it: “I don't know what's going to occur, perhaps I received't get wherever. I simply need to play, be accompanied by good folks and be blissful, which is the most vital factor. “A mirrored image which will sound to them, as a result of it is usually performed by Nadal. In Melbourne she has loved “every thing”, however what she appreciated most is “the struggle” she has had in all the matches and having made a superb buddy, like the Spanish Ane Mintegi. “It has crushed me in coaching and parcheesi too,” he says with a smile. No pictures have been taken with anybody, though he has seen “Nadal, Djokovic, Muguruza, Anisimova … everybody and they’re superior”. “However I didn't need to ask for pictures, as a result of I put myself of their place and I wouldn't prefer to be bothered, though in the event that they requested me one thing like that, I might do it,” says Vicky, who is now in a cloud and doesn't need to depart Australia “With out seeing a kangaroo.”