The past few months have been a rollercoaster for Argentina’s Guido Pella who at one stage seriously contemplated walking away from the sport permanently.
2021 has seen the Argentine struggle to gain any momentum on the Tour. Prior to this week, he had only managed to win three out of 16 matches played and were yet to register multiple victories at any tournament. Subsequently, he spiralled down the rankings from 44th in January to his current position of 93rd. The first time he had been out of the world’s top 90 since August 2017.
The lull in form had been tough for Pella but he is showing signs of a resurgence at this week’s Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. It began with the first round when he defeated David Goffin in straight sets who was the first top 20 player he had beaten since 2019. Then on Wednesday, he scored a 6-1, 7-5, win over Fabiop Fognini in just under 90 minutes. Making it the first time in 18 months he has scored back-to-back wins on the Tour.
“After Wimbledon, I did not know if I was going to continue playing tennis and Fabián [Blengino] came to try to give me a little happiness back on the court. This is the first tournament where we are together. It made me see that I still have gasoline in the tank,” Pella told reporters following his win over Fognini.
It was announced last month that Pella would once again be coached by Blengino after previously working with him 11 years prior. Blengino has a wealth of experience when it comes to Argentine players and was the person who once guided Guillermo Coria to the French Open final. He has also worked with the likes of Carlos Berlocq, Diego Schwartzman, Facundo Bagnis and Nicolas Kicker.
“I have to be cautious. I had a hard time. When I come back from Wimbledon and I change the team, it was difficult for me to train,” said Pella.
“In Argentina we don’t have balls, it is difficult to get courts, logistics are difficult. But I said to myself ‘stop fucking around, train like you should and enjoy yourself.”
At his best the 31-year-old has been ranked as high as 20th in the world and has reached five ATP finals, winning the 2019 Sao Paulo Open. He also reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon back in 2019.
Now with a fresh burst of momentum on his side, Pella will play either third seed Alexander Zverev or Llyod Harris in the third round in Cincinnati. Two rivals whom he describes as ‘tough’ to play. Regardless of the outcome, he has already won a much tougher battle.
“Right now what I have to do is enjoy that I am coming out of the negative spiral. I thought I was never going to leave. These two games are a very good proof that my tennis and confidence are returning,” he concluded.
Note: quotes obtained via Sebastian Torok (La Nacion) and Ivo Tricarico (ubitennis.es)
