The spotlight shines more at the Grand Slam tournaments and this week it was on the Chilean, who shone on the London lawn. He talks about his mental health, the violence in Chile and the desire to vote in the plebiscite in September. The Ariqueño was thirsty for victory.
Christian Garin tasted the unknown. The Chilean number one carried the most important campaign of his life in major tournaments and returned a national in the top eight of a major tournament, as had not happened since Fernando González in 2009. Wimbledon final marked by this week, they give you a fresh look. A confirmation that you are improving and that you have already found the right work team.
What are the differences between the Garin leaving London and the one who arrived a few weeks ago?
More than in these two weeks, I feel like I have changed throughout this year. I suffered a lot, I went through a lot of stress, I didn’t know how to handle the pressure. To have been here to have fun, to win important matches… it felt good. I am very happy with the opportunities I am taking advantage of.
What does it mean to you to be a Wimbledon quarter-finalist?
It is very important for me to have reached these quarter-finals in this tournament which is my favorite. This result, these experiences, are important, because I dream of being regularly in these instances. I will analyze with Pepe (Vendrell), my coach, what this tournament was like. Above all, I will learn from defeat. I will see where I went wrong, because I want to be better. I have already added five ATP titles, I already have several Grand Slam round of 16, now I have made these quarter-finals. There is no doubt that I am improving.
The fact that no Chilean had reached a semi-final at Wimbledon before, was that something that put pressure on you or did it motivate you more?
Having the opportunity to write the history of Chile is always motivating. I love representing my country, the support of the Chilean people is felt and appreciated. In the most difficult moments, there are also always people who stop and that is the key. The time to make history will come, but I want to keep working and enjoying my career.
Was it a weight on your shoulders to have campaigned so well at a Grand Slam?
I don’t feel like that. I add experience, even though I’m 26 and not so young anymore. I am very happy with the race I am doing. I believe in myself and I believe in my team. I continue to mature, I understand better what I do.
What things did you do wrong?
I played with the shoulder injury for many tournaments, in a lot of pain and far from my 100%. At the end of last season, I had gone two months without playing. I arrived in Australia without too much preparation, which happened to me. When you don’t feel well physically, mental problems appear, insecurities. It ends up affecting you in every way.
How is your mental health?
It is a very important topic. I worked on self-knowledge, which helped me a lot. Knowing how to love one another, knowing how to respect one another. Professional athletes are always under a lot of pressure, always wanting to perform at a hundred every week. You must be prepared. I really like tennis and competition, but sometimes, when you don’t feel very well, doubts appear. We are very exposed and you have to know how to do it.
And did it go well for you to get to know each other?
Yes a lot. This has been the key to performing well and lasting longer in this sport. And it helped to have the right work team, that your team knew you too. Today, we are all heading in the same direction. Your team should always know how you are doing.
Do you still have moderately separate social networks?
From social networks, the hatred that people have continued to surprise. The messages we receive, especially when we lose, are not very pleasant. I imagine how guys like Kyrgios or Tsitsipas experience it. It’s not pleasant at all, people don’t know you and feel entitled to insult you. They have an opinion of you that is not valid. It’s difficult. It is impossible to avoid it. Hopefully that will change over time.
Do you feel with an important platform? Do you think your message impacts others differently because of your status as an elite athlete?
I am not someone who seeks to appear in the media or to give interviews, but when asked for my opinion, I always try to give it. I don’t know much about the impact my answers had. But I’m very transparent, I like to say what I feel, which calms me down.
Did you follow the national news?
I like getting informed, but mixing sport with politics, personally, I don’t like that. I feel like these are very different topics, and everyone has their own opinion.
But I ask citizen Garin, not tennis player Garin.
Yes yes. I love my country, I like getting informed, reading, knowing what’s going on there.
What to read?
Everything, news, news, I follow the markets.
Do you worry about moving your own money? Are you not enthusiastic about cryptocurrencies, for example?
No, I’m not excited about it. Normally, I worry, I like to know the economy, but it’s not something that involves me too much. I devote myself to tennis.
Do you want to vote in the constitutional exit plebiscite on September 4? He would have to lose in the first rounds of the US Open to get there.
Yes, I would be interested, but obviously it’s not in my plans because I hope to continue playing at the US Open. We’ll see what happens in the tournament, but the plans are to go home after New York. If things go well for me and I make it to the round of 16, I won’t be able to vote, but if I lose the first, which I hope I don’t, I’ll come back to vote.
Do you lean towards a preference?
It’s just that I don’t like to mix politics with sports. It is something very different. I’m not a politician, I’m an athlete and I’m dedicated to it. My opinion doesn’t matter much, although I do have a position, of course. I dedicate myself to tennis, something totally opposed to politics.
Violence and security are among the issues that most concern Chileans. As a Chilean, is this your first concern?
No one likes to see an insecure country. This is a question that concerns us all. You see Europe, here you live in peace. You are not aware of being robbed, of something happening to you. It’s essential. We all want to live calm and safe. As a tennis player, I travel a lot and I don’t experience what most Chileans experience. Obviously, I would like the Chileans who are in the country all year round to be able to live in peace.
Regarding the US Open, the Russians will again be able to compete in a Grand Slam.
Sounds good to me, makes sense to me. I know a lot of Russians on the tour and most don’t even talk about the war. I respect the decision made by Wimbledon, but I think it’s a good thing that they can compete again.
Some athletes have made their voices heard regarding cannabis use. Do you think athletes should be allowed to smoke marijuana without being punished?
If it’s forbidden, it’s for a reason. We are very exposed to doping. This year, I have already passed more than 13 tests. I don’t know how much it affects performance, but if the AMA forbids it, it is. I take great care of myself and I don’t even drink it outside of competitions.
When was the last time you were drunk?
(Laughs) In November, for a friend’s birthday. Several months have passed.
What journey do you have waiting outside of tennis?
I was in Greece before Wimbledon, which helped me a lot to arrive fresh. Since I’ve been with Pepe, he’s taught me that rest is important: holidays, hours of sleep. This focus and order is important to what I accomplish.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Todderic Kirkman, a journalist and author for athletistic. I specialize in covering all news related to sports, ranging from basketball to football and everything in between. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, I have become an invaluable asset to my team. My ambition is to bring the most up-to-date information on sports topics around the world.
