The success of Malaika Rapolu towards the success of tennis in Texas has not easily come, so the first -year professional player will probably not leave Monday’s opening defeat in the Atx Open in Nuria Parrizas Diaz disturbing her too long .
Of course, Rapolu stressed things that she wanted to have done better in the loss 6-2, 6-4 which could have at worst the match at a third set and at best given its control early, but that is part of Life for someone trying to find their way in professional tennis.
Early difficulties were too much to be overcome
Despite the chances of breaking the service of Parrizas Diaz twice earlier in the opening set, Rapolu could not convert. She had trouble treating both the coherence of her opponent and her environment – the big stands, the children of the ball, the reruns on video advice at each end of the courtyard, even her family who was present at Westwood Country Club.
“Throughout the first set, I was so nervous,” admitted Rapolu. “I had never played a match like that before and there are so many things that I am not used to having in a match.”
It took a penalty at the start of the second set to bring Rapolu into the match. After receiving a warning for having taken too long on his own service in the first set, the referee penalized Rapolu when she was not in position when Parrizas Diaz was ready to serve.
By dragging 2-1 in the second set, Rapolu responded with his best service game – a pair of AS helped her draw even – then her best return game to win his first break and a 3- 2. Then the nerves strike again. She lost her service at 3-2 then again at 4-3 after obtaining another break, and Parrizas Diaz closed the match
“I said to myself to relax, and I think I did a little, but when I was standing 3-2 and 4-3, I served badly,” said Rapolu. “I doubled twice in these two games and it was definitely nerves, to be honest. I did not play as I wanted. She is certainly much more experienced and has already played a lot of these matches. She knows what she is doing and has played better in tight situations, especially in the second set. »»
As a pro, Rapolu is based on early adversity
In Texas, Rapolu was one of two national championship teams and won All-America honors, but despite the distinctions, her trip turned out to be difficult and emotionally difficult to the point that she fought against tears on Monday while She talked about it from the post-match.
“There were certainly a lot of ups and downs for me personally,” she said. “You look at him on paper and you see, yes, I won national championships and I was an all-American and all that, but I think people really don’t see how much I had these years.”
Rapolu worked extremely hard on his tennis at the start of his UT career, but had trouble breaking the programming. It wreaked havoc, but it did not take his work ethics.
“The greatest thing I struggled with was in my second year that I was not in alignment,” she said. “It was a great thing for me. I would put. I would work very hard. And I guess it was not good enough at that time. For me, it was a bit heartbreaking. It was the biggest challenge. Tennis was everything for me at that time. I wanted my hard work to show and not be able to play was a great challenge. »»
She believes that the experience of switching to sorrow and becoming a key actor in her last years – she has published a record of 61-16 in single in her last two seasons – will serve her well while she learns to be A professional player.
Rapolu knows that his professional path will not be easy
Despite the loss, Rapolu (ranked 542 on the WTA) can find the silver lining in its battle against a player classified 435 places ahead of it.
“I just think I’m not so far behind (these players),” said Rapolu. “I just have to continue working, continue playing matches, continue to become more confident.”
Playing in a 250 level event – a draw that includes 20 of the 100 best players on tour, including Jessica Pegula, fourth, is a start.
“Certainly getting experience and the exhibition was enormous,” said Rapolu. “I will continue to work and try to get opportunities like this to reach the big players.”
She knows it will not be easy. But as a young pro, he may not be supposed to be as easy as some people look like. And she’s going well with that.
“It is certainly much more difficult than I thought,” admitted Rapolu. “I spoke earlier with my coach. People see you play in a 250 event and they see all these good things. What they don’t see is hard work and all that comes there, as how much you get trouble through ITF events and just to be able to reach this level. It’s really more difficult than I thought, but I made challenges, so I look forward to it. “”
Open ATX
Although on Sunday, Westwood Country Club, Tennis Channel
Tuesday schedule (the doors open at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.) – 1st round and double round, 9 a.m.; Singles and doubles of the 1st round, 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: The former tennis star of Texas, Malaika Rapolu, lost the first match in Atx Open
