Sebastián Báez’s success was a “Why not me?” for Argentine NextGen

It was more of a title won by Sebastián Báez in Estoril brick dust. First of all, because this is the first catch one of Argentina’s players with the biggest projections on the circuit. Because Báez is, without a doubt, one of the gems that Argentine tennis has to offer these days, as part of a generation where there is also room for Francisco and Juan Manuel Cerúndolo, Tomás Etcheverry, Camilo Ugo Carabelli and Thiago Tirante. Everyone is sure to take the seat. And they will be the leaders for years to come.

But the good thing also about Argentina’s new assignment to Portuguese lands, which adds to the achievements of Nalbandian, Chela, Gaudio, Del Potro and Berlocq in previous editions of the tournament (when it was played in Oeiras), is certainly will serve as a contagion effect.

“If Sebastián, who grew up with me and we beat each other during our time as juniors, achieved ATP, why can’t I?”. This is the reasoning made by many since Báez (who signed “Why not me?” (why not me?) after winning each match) captured the first match point he was against the American Tiafoe. And that reasoning should be a positive trigger for the benefit of national tennis.

Since he entered last year, much has been said about Báez, his growth, his gradual and rapid development, supported by a team of work where all the gears are perfectly suited. And they work. Sebastian and his coach, Sebastian Gutierrezthey know that the road is very long and they both value the daily so that everything flows in an atmosphere of emotional serenity and balance, without forgetting that it is a competition in a super professional field.

The numbers are starting to show his resilience on the slow courts. Báez is a typical clay-court player with tremendous potential on cement, but on that very surface where he is most comfortable. This year he was able to give a warning to Santiago, where he almost lost in the final. And even though he is coming off two straight defeats in the first round at the start of the European season, he has shown the tools he has to understand the game. And that’s the key to winning battles (and titles) at the highest level.

Because of his height (he was 1.70 meters tall), Báez had to stop being a defensive tennis player, to run and score, to become a more complete player. Now he manages very well slicestrip drops, cut diagonals, play as needed. He learned to read games. Every day he seemed ready to learn something new. And he fulfills it. This greatly improved his service, to him drive and vice versa. And he can play what he wants against anyone, because always bringing the opponent to the limit. Then there will be virtues on the other side. But he played his part for a long time.

You have to grow, of course. Because there were moments of doubt in his tennis. But the ceiling is too high and she will surely very quickly forget the 40th place in the ranking that she will wear starting this Monday.

Baez won in Estoril. And he is the 33rd Argentine tennis player to win a title. It’s another name to be included in that tennis gallery of miracles that adds 226 festivals, to occupy the fifth spot on the list of countries with the highest number of allocations, over powers like France, Germany, Russia and Great Britain, for example. . And just behind the United States, Spain, Australia and Sweden. Yes, a real miracle sport …