The expert sports medicine traumatologist spoke about his relationship with the country’s historic tennis players, mentioning that they have a great relationship with Chino. Moreover, he spoke about the preparation of the Chilean team ahead of the series against Kazakhstan at La Serena.
The doctor Alexander Orizola He is an orthopedic specialist in sports medicine with a long and prestigious career in national sport. He was doctor of the University of Chile football team for more than 40 years ; has been Chief Medical Officer of the Chilean Olympic Committee since 2001 ; and also, has accompanied the Chilean Davis Cup team for many years , in collaboration with Marcelo Ríos, Nicolás Massú, Fernando González, among others. Now he meets the team at La Serena, ahead of the series against Kazakhstan. In conversation with El Deportivo, the traumatologist specializing in sports medicine at the Clínica Universidad de los Andes, talks about the possibility of the team returning to the world group and his long career in this discipline.
How long have you worked in Chilean tennis?
I arrived in the Davis Cup when Hans Gildemeister was a player (1986). They must be in their thirties. At that time I arrived, and since then I have been with everyone who has passed: different players, captains, formats, everything.
How did you come to this position?
Because of these things in life, Hans was my patient. At that time, he mentioned the possibility of collaborating with the team, and it was thanks to him that I was able to join him. Then everyone agreed and I was able to reach the Davis Cup.
And the relationship with peers, how was it?
Tennis has the particularity of being very small teams, so the relationship that is formed in the human group is close. We are 12 people, so you generate a bond of friendship. I met Massú, González and Ríos when they were 14; they made their boy Davis Cup debut. We then forge very close friendships with them, an endearing affection.
How do you assess the team physically ahead of this weekend’s games?
I saw them very well, I was surprised by the state in which Garín arrived, both physically and mentally, and with very good tennis. Jarry has played a lot, he is complete, perfect. Lama is fine too; and Barrios has just come out of a major injury with surgery, but he’s doing great. Tabilo is like ‘cat trot’, it’s even, it’s always good.
Garín and Barrios are recovering from their recent injuries, did they show any physical discomfort?
No, absolutely none. Gago is in very good physical condition. Barrios is still at the stage where all his physical strength needs to be supplemented to the max, but the important thing is that the tennis is at a very good level.
When they are not in the Davis Cup period, how do they follow up?
They come with work guidelines for their teams. It’s a way of working here where the kind of work they do with their team is respected. They come with directions from their physical trainer and we just maintain.
And communication with tennis players?
In general, we have a fairly direct relationship, of great trust and friendship, so there are always questions about them, and when the Davis Cup dates approach, we start to have more frequent contact on a daily basis: how are they doing, what are they doing, what are they planning to do, etc. so that we arrive with all of this ready and not to worry here.
Four players have just played the Australian Open, played on a hard court, should special work be done to adapt the changes from a hard court to a clay court?
Of course, even if it’s not a specific job. In tennis, they have to get used to how the ball runs and how it bounces, which is completely different. That’s why we normally start training a week before.
Massu pointed out play at sea level How many can play like this influence?
A lot, because these are people who are used to playing tennis on harder surfaces, so the ball runs and bounces differently. In Davis Cup, it is typical: the local must seek the most unfavorable conditions for the rivals. The idea is to cause them some kind of difficulty from that point of view, but it is done all over the world.
Is there an edition of this tournament for which you have a particular affection?
There are some that we remember very well, when we found ourselves in Argentina after Chino was number one, it was quite special because of what we had to go through. Also when we play in completely foreign places, like when we went to play in Zimbabwe. They are very entertaining and rewarding experiences, but all Davis Cups have their charms, it would be unfair to favor one over the other.
In your long career, who has been the player with the most physical complications you have seen?
The Chinese had to fight against his back for a long time. It’s complicated for the medical and rehabilitation part, because despite all the complications, Chino was always there, and he always played, even if he was in a lot of pain. Fernando in his last time, hip problems also put him in bad shape. So it was difficult to set it up. In serious injuries, I would name Marcelo (Ríos) and Hans (Gildemeister) with their backs; and Fernando with his hip.
And the most physically resistant?
I don’t remember much back, but right now Alejandro Tabilo is a person who has a privileged physique, he doesn’t complain much, he trains too much, he is in good physical condition and he is a good professional . Of the ones I remember I would say Tabilo ‘doesn’t take bullets’, but there have been others over the years I just can’t remember at the moment.
What is your relationship with Nicolás Massú and Fernando González?
With Nico and Fernando, I had the chance to be in Greece with them, which creates a very special relationship with both of us. I have an affection for them like a son, a nephew, I have known them since they were children, they are not only good sportsmen, but also good people. You see how they mature over time, it makes you proud to have gone through the lives of these people, it’s a pleasure and a privilege to work with people like that. I have a special affection for you.
What memories do you have of the two?
In memory, I keep a photo with more affection. I was the first to receive Nico in the locker room after he won the gold medal in simple, and we took a photo which is the most precious that I keep. What that day was like, the end of a whole process, seeing him come out as a champion, it’s like your son coming out as an Olympic champion. I also very fondly cherish the doubles medal experience, but this one (Massu) was so long, so special, that I remember it vividly.
Was your relationship complicated to work with him? Chinese rivers ?
No, not at all, it was very natural. I’ve known him since I was little, we’re both very confident. I can say that I know the real Marcelo Ríos, not the character that everyone has somehow caricatured. Marcelo Ríos is a very intelligent person, quite analytical, a very good man. Marcelo has helped many people in need, without anyone knowing, I witnessed it and no one ever knew. I still have a close relationship with him, he’s a wonderful human being.
Has your character ever been in conflict with your job?
No never. He was always very respectful, him and Jorge (his father). Very respectful of our medical work, very cordial. Moreover, here everything is discussed and nothing is imposed.
Were you with him when he became world number one?
We saw it on television, because we were with the team in Buenos Aires. When he came, I picked him up at the airport. I remember it was crazy, because Chino came to Argentina from the United States arriving as number one, and getting him out of the airport was great.
And how was the experience?
For me it was very exciting, for Chino… He was happy, in a different state of mind, but Chino is Chino, you’re not going to ask him to “jump on two legs”, but obviously he was happy because it was the fulfillment of his life that he had been pursuing for a long time, no one can care.
Who was the best tennis player in the world you’ve seen?
Roger Federer amazes me so much. I also like Djokovic at the moment, but I prefer the Swiss.
Track to El Deportivo
Source: Latercera
I’m Rose Brown , a journalist and writer with over 10 years of experience in the news industry. I specialize in covering tennis-related news for Athletistic, a leading sports media website. My writing is highly regarded for its quick turnaround and accuracy, as well as my ability to tell compelling stories about the sport.
