“Things taste better after overcoming difficult times” | ATP Tour

Antwerp

“Things taste better after overcoming difficult times”

Roberto Bautista Agut won the title in Antwerp on Sunday

October 22, 2024

“This title means a lot. I was especially excited. Things taste better after overcoming difficult times. In the end, with work and perseverance you always get results. I’m happy with the way I’ve done it.”

At 36 years old, Roberto Bautista Agut’s words after winning the trophy at the European Open in Antwerp after beating Jiri Lehecka in the final reflected happiness for the effort rewarded. By winning his first ATP Tour title in more than two years (Kitzbühel 2022), the Spaniard also raised his crown tally to 12.

Above all, winning again meant putting an end to a complicated journey for Bautista Agut, full of bad moments, injuries and loss of confidence that the Spaniard has been responsible for erasing with the same recipe as always: work, sacrifice and tennis of high level, the same one that allowed him to open a space among the 10 best tennis players in the world.

“It has been a very good week,” certified the Spaniard. “I have played at a very good level every day. In the final I was quite calm, with a lot of confidence. I could have closed the first set at 5-3, I didn’t do it and I stayed in the match,” he continued. “I have been better than him. I have put a lot of pressure on him and I have been very aggressive. “I am very happy for the match.”

The current No. 45 in the PIF ATP Rankings defeated Luca Van Assche, Tomas Etcheverry, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Hugo Gaston and Lehecka in Antwerp to win.

“I feel very good,” Bautista Agut celebrated. “I haven’t had time to think much. “I want to enjoy the victory, rest as long as I can and play in a new tournament in Basel.”

The Spaniard will debut at the Swiss Indoors Basel this Wednesday against Casper Ruud.