Pablo Carreno Busta says his hard work has paid off after winning his first Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open on Sunday.
Busta, who is a two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, battled back from a set down to defeat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Becoming the first player ranked outside the world’s top 20 to win the tournament since Andrei Pavel in 2001. Dropping serve only once in the match, Busta withstood 18 aces from his opponent as he hit 25 winners against 10 unforced errors.
“Finally I won a Masters 1000. It’s an amazing feeling. I’ve worked very, very hard all my career to finally be here,” the new champion said afterwards during his press conference.
“It was very, very tough, but I think I had an incredible week, playing really good and being very positive all the time. I’m very, very happy about this victory and my level.”
Coming into the tournament, the 31-year-old had endured lackluster results on the Tour by winning back-to-back matches in just two out of nine tournaments played. However, he managed to turn his form around in Canada with wins over Jannik Sinner, Jack Draper and Dan Evans prior to defeating Hurkacz.
Busta has won a total of seven titles on the Tour in his career but the Canadian Open is by far the most prestigious. He has also won five ATP 250 titles and an ATP 500 event once.
“It’s not the first one, but it’s probably or for sure the most important. It’s a Masters 1000. It’s something great to win these kinds of titles,” he said of his latest achievement.
Unlike some of his countrymen, Busta has enjoyed a large amount of success in his career on hardcourts. Best illustrated by his runs to the semi-finals of the US Open in 2017 and 2020. Four out of his seven career titles have been won on the surface.
“I grew up on this surface when I was in my hometown in Gijon. When I was young, I practiced all the time on this surface so I feel very comfortable,” Busta explains.
“It’s true that when I went to Barcelona when I was 15, I started to play more on clay courts. So that’s why I think I play good on both surfaces.”
“It is true that in this part of the year when I come to America and Canada I feel really, really comfortable on court. Probably I play my best tennis here.”
The Spaniard is hoping that he will be able to continue his winning momentum this week at the Cincinnati Masters where he will play Miomir Kecmanović in his opening match. Then later this month will be the US Open which will be his 35th appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament.
“I think I just need to continue this way, believe in myself and be aggressive. For sure I will have chances to win matches in this season,” he concluded.
Busta has jumped nine places in this week’s Pepperstone ATP rankings to 14th which is his highest position since September. He has been ranked as high as 10th in the world.
