Marcos Baghdatis’ week at the Dubai Tennis Championships has been a reminder of how much of a force the colorful Cypriot can be on the tour.
Producing a trio of wins over Viktor Troicki, Roberto Bautista Agut and Feliciano Lopez. The 30-year-old reached his first ATP 500 final since 2010. Baghdatis impressed many in his final against Stan Wawrinka. Despite losing, he was a forced to be contend with in the final with a series of spectacular shots. Saving a trio of match points, the Cypriot was edged out 15-13 by Wawrinka during an epic second set tiebreaker.
Prior to his run in Dubai, the 30-year-old reached the quarterfinals in Montpellier and the second round in Rotterdam before losing to the eventual champions of the tournaments (Richard Gasquet and Martin Klizan). Those past two tournaments still doesn’t compare to his most recent accomplishment. An accomplishment which has created a gigantic boost in his confidence.
“I didn’t win the tournament this week, but I won a lot more,” Baghdatis said after his Dubai final.
“I won my confidence back. I’m happy I’m back and playing this kind of tennis now. It’s just to continue improving and play at this level throughout the year”.
Baghdatis will now rise 18 places up the rankings to 39th in the world as he aims to get back into the top-30. His current journey is on course with comments which he made at the start of 2015. In what was a bold statement, the Cypriot said that he believes that he has the ability to one day return to the top-10.
“I think if I work in the right way I can have another four, five years in my legs and play my best tennis. I’m trying to do every day the best I can, be a better person than I was yesterday.” He told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The comments from the 30-year-old might be extremely optimistic, however, his mentality is one to be admired. With his injury struggles during 2008, 2013 and most recently 2015, there is still a desire for him to succeed. Baghdatis will most likely never reach a Grand Slam final again after his run in Melbourne during 2006, but having characters like him on the tour is needed.
His performance may be inconsistent, but his commitment is never questioned. Looking ahead to the rest of the year, the 30-year-old admits that he can’t afford to take his recent final in Dubai for granted as he hopes to continuously improve.
“We come from a long way back. I’m happy I’m back and playing this kind of tennis again. I just need to continue improving. I have to play at this level throughout the year.” He concluded.
Marcos Baghdatis quick facts
Age: 30
Ranking high: 8 (21/08/2006)
ATP Finals: 13 finals, winning four titles at the China Open (2006), Zagreb Open (2007), Stockholm Open (2009) and Sydney International (2010).
Grand Slam record: 42 main draw appearances since the 2004 US Open. Best performance was runner-up at the 2006 Australian Open.
First win over a top-10 player: Mariano Puerta ARG (2005)
