LONDON: At the age of 35, tour veteran Feliciano Lopez continues to get better with age following his three sets win over Marin Cilic at The Queen’s Club.
Starting the season dodged by injury, the Spaniard has blossomed on the grass courts. At The Queen’s Club he also enjoyed wins over Stan Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych to underline his credentials on the surface. It is not the first time Lopez has triumphed on the grass, previously winning the Eastbourne title in 2013 and 2014. This time, however, it is something more significant, according to the new Queen’s champion.
“I think it’s the best week of my career, I would say. To win this tournament at this stage of my career, I mean, this is so amazing.” Said Lopez.
“I was waiting so long to win this title. Queen’s is the best, I think. Outside of the Grand Slams, this is one of the most special tournaments.”
Despite never breaking the world’s top-10, the 35-year-old is one of the most successful active players on the grass with 72 wins. In fact, only Roger Federer and Andy Murray have won more than him. It is an impressive achievement for the three-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist, who attributes his success to two areas of his game.
“I think my serve and my strokes also are made for grass. The fact that I can keep the ball low on the grass, it’s very effective for me.”
16 years have past since he made his grand slam debut at the 2001 French Open. Like others, such as Roger Federer, the Spaniard has demonstrated how players are able to play later into their career. There is no secret to his longevity on the tour, but a realization at the age of 30 .
“I was lucky lucky with my body. I didn’t have any (serious) injuries.” He explained.
“Five or six years ago I realized that I have to do something different or at least something more if I wanted to extend my career. I wanted to still be competitive after 30s.”
Since turning 30, Lopez has secured 14 wins over top-10 players and has won four of his six career ATP titles. He is the oldest ever winner at Queen’s and is set to rise up the rankings to 25th in the world on Monday, 13 places adrift from his career high.
Now heading into Wimbledon with a grass-court title under his belt, Lopez’s confidence is peaking. Age continues to be just a number to the Spaniard, who believes he is a better player than that of ten years ago.
“I think I read the game better. I know myself better. I know I can handle the situations better. I know the way I have to play, because when I was younger, I was not playing that aggressive. I was more baseliner, trying to wait more for the opportunities.” He explained.
”Right now I think I know my game better, and I’m doing the right things to win the matches.”
Lopez’s run to the Queen’s title
R1 – Def Stan Wawrinka 7-6(4), 7-5
R2 – Def Jeremy Chardy 6-1, 7-6(4)
QF – Def Tomas Berdych 7-6(5), 6-7(1), 7-5
SF – Def Grigor Dimitrov 7-5, 3-6, 6-2
F – Def Marin Cilic 4-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(8)
