Photo: Andrés Molina
Roberto Carballés (Tenerife, 1993) entered the history of the tournament hosted by the Real Murcia Club de Tenis 1919 by becoming its first champion. That was in 2019, when he managed to beat Sweden’s Mikael Ymer 2-6, 6-0, 6-2.
That is why his return to Murcia is special. The tennis player, world number 95 in the ATP rankings, is coming to this second edition of the Challenger Costa Cálida Región de Murcia with the intention of revalidating the title.
«I love coming back to Murcia,» says Carballés. «In general I like coming here, the RMCT 19191 is a club that brings me very good memories from years ago».
Carballés made his first round debut against another Spaniard, Daniel Rincón, whom he beat 6-3 6-2. «My debut went well, for me it was a good match in which I was very comfortable with my serve and in general on the court,» he said.
However, despite all this, the tennis player does not want to think about the final yet, but rather about his daily work. «My goal is to maintain the level and try to play as I am training, improve my serve and be a little more aggressive,» he says. «By ranking there may be people who consider me favourite, but it depends on how you get up and play every match, if you have a bad day, anyone can beat you».
In addition, although he will have to face Rybakov for a place in the quarter-finals, he stresses that «all the rivals are very dangerous, it doesn’t matter if you play against someone who is below 200 or 150, the level is similar and you have to keep the tension to win».
Carballés also participates in the doubles. He does it with Alberto Barroso, «a friend», as he defines him. On Wednesday they defeated Frenchmen Corentin Denolly and Matteo Martineau 6-1, 7-6 to reach the semi-finals.
