Rodrigue Corona
Mérida (Mexico), 21 Feb. During her matches, Mexican tennis player Fernanda Contreras carries a notebook in which she writes down details such as the fact that Roland Garros smells like coffee, which helps her focus on the moment and perform better on the short.
“Roland Garros smells of coffee, freshly laid clay. Wimbledon, freshly cut grass, roses. Everything smells different and I like to write it down to remember the experience and enjoy it more,” explained EFE, the only Mexican to have played three Grand Slam tournaments in one season.
The San Luis Potosí native has become a better tennis player not only for her work on the court, but also off it, where she works as a non-professional writer.
His method of relaxation after a day at tennis is to write fictional stories with characters in which he reflects his emotions.
“Sometimes I have tough days, I lose in three sets in a tough tournament and I use those emotions for my characters. If a tragedy happens to them, I already know what that pain feels like. If I have a big victory, my characters become more exciting, with more life,” added the 25-year-old tennis player who last year played at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Contreras, who in 2022 was the first Mexican to play at Wimbledon in 27 years, will publish a novel in the coming months, influenced by the work of Ken Follet and Dan Brown which is partly set in the British Museum.
“When I go to my room after playing tennis, I escape to another universe. I do it to relax, it reassures me and on the court it helps me to be calmer. It helps me to having more options, thinking about making the best decision for my next game,” he explained.
The granddaughter of Francisco Contreras, who reached the mixed doubles semi-finals at Wimbledon in 1958, has made a name for herself in recent years alongside Renata Zarazúa, Giuliana Olmos and Marcela Zacarías.
Contreras, tennis player 169 in the world, will play this week the Mérida Open, a WTA 250 tournament in which he will start this Tuesday against the American Alycia Parks, 51 in the ranking, fifth favorite.EFE
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