Following his win at the 14 & Under Super Category in Maia, we caught up with Rafael Pagonis (GRE) to learn more about him and his biggest passion - tennis. Ever since joining the Junior Tour, Pagonis has had impressive results and continues to fight hard to improve his game, trying to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Carlos Alcaraz.
How did you start playing tennis?
I started tennis because of my dad. He put me on the court for the first time when I was two, and I wanted to play tennis again and again and again. I kept asking him to go on the court and play with me. We were playing points, and I always wanted to win.
At what point did you realize you wanted to compete and do it professionally?
At 10 years old, when I won the Greek and national championship. I was also playing basketball and wanted to keep doing both, but I realized I was better at tennis and decided to keep going with that.
Did you start playing tournaments in Greece and then move on to international events?
Yes, I started playing tournaments in Greece when I was six or seven, and then at 10, I started playing Tennis Europe. I was winning, and then I also went to the USA, trying to do my best at every tournament.
When you made the transition from 12 & Under to 14 & Under, what were the biggest differences you felt?
The second set, most of the time, is very different. In 12 & Under, you play the first set, win it, and then in the second set the opponent often quits or thinks he’s already lost. Now in 14 & Under, nobody quits. Everybody wants to win, everybody's fighting.
What has been your favorite Tennis Europe tournament so far?
Tim Essonne, this one in Maia, and probably Tarbes.
And for this year, what else is on your agenda? What do you want to do? Where do you want to go?
I want to go to the next Super Category, reach the semifinals, and try at the European Championship to reach the semifinal, or even the final, and give my best at every tournament.
Do you like representing your country at these kinds of events?
Yes, a lot!
How do you manage to balance sports and education?
When I was 12, I left traditional Greek school to travel the world and play tennis. I try to do online school as much as I can. Between matches, I go back to the hotel, do school, do my homework, and I try to focus mostly on tennis.
Can you describe a day in your life?
I wake up at 7 and go to the gym from 8 to 9, then I play tennis until 10:30. Then I have school from 11 to 1, eat lunch, and at 3 o’clock I go back to the academy. I do some fitness again for about half an hour to an hour, then play tennis for one and a half hours. After practice, I try to do some serves, it’s really important for me to serve well. Then I go home and sleep.
Who's your favorite tennis player and why?
I’d say Carlos Alcaraz. He plays aggressively. He uses the drop shot, I try to do a lot of drop shots like him. He fights, he’s fast. I think we have similar styles. I like trying to play like him.
In terms of Grand Slams, which one do you really want to go to and maybe win?
Australian Open, because it’s like a Greek Grand Slam. Many Greek Australians live there, and the atmosphere is amazing.
Do you have time for other hobbies when you're not playing tennis?
No, not really.
Do you play basketball for fun anymore, or not at all?
Yeah, I do sometimes. For example, tomorrow I’ll go play basketball with my dad.
After winning this tournament, you’re going to get a lot of points and that might help you in the Race to Monte Carlo. Is that something you’d like to do this year, compete there?
Yes, it’s been my goal to go to the Monte Carlo Masters since the beginning of the year because it’s a really important event. And Monte Carlo is Monte Carlo 😊
Thank you so much. Good luck!
Thank you!