WELL TALK: Alan Ważny – Polish tennis hope: "It's easier to play as an underdog"

The Rzeszów native achieved another major success in the British capital, winning the junior doubles tournament with partner Oskari Paldanius. The ambitious teenager repeated his feat at Roland Garros, where he and the Finnish player also formed what turned out to be the best doubles pairing. Learn more about this talented 18-year-old.

SURVEY – WARM-UP QUESTIONS

Cheesecake or apple pie?

Cider.

Playing indoors or playing outdoors?

Definitely outside.

Service or return? (Which is your stronger side?)

I think the service.

Offensive style or defensive style?

Offensive style.

Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner? (Whose game do you like better?)

Definitely Alcaraz.

Forehand or backhand?

Forehand.

Singles or doubles?

Singles, but doubles as an addition and casual play is also cool.

Clay courts or hard courts?

It doesn't really matter to me.

Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal?

Rafa Nadal.

Wimbledon or Roland Garros?

Definitely Wimbledon.

Alan Ważny on Wimbledon victory

Maciej Mikołajczyk, editor of Well.pl: Was it more difficult for you to win Roland Garros or Wimbledon?

Alan Ważny: Wimbledon was definitely the toughest overall. We had to defend two match points in the final, and in the quarterfinals we played the pair who had won the Australian Open. So the tournament bracket was very demanding. Besides, we wanted to confirm that we deserved to win Roland Garros, so there was extra pressure.

Are you planning to pass your driving test soon?

I'm planning to get my driver's license. Probably not anytime soon. I've had a lot of travel to do, but after the US Open, I'll probably focus on that. Do I like adrenaline? I definitely do. Wherever it's there and there's excitement, I feel great.

Were you more impressed by the Roland Garros complex or the All England Club?

The All England Club and its entire setting definitely impress me more, especially from the inside. Everything is green with purple accents. We managed to explore Paris, but I didn't have any free time in London. Still, I'd rather live in the British capital than in France.

Did you change anything in your doubles game after winning in France?

Every success boosts your confidence and motivates you to work harder. You win a title like that in junior tennis, and then you want to repeat it in professional men's tennis. We haven't changed much since Paris. We've started playing even more aggressively than before, which is paying off.

You won Wimbledon by saving match points. Where does your mental toughness come from?

I'm working with a mental coach on every element in my head. We had to take some serious risks to win this match. If we hadn't, our opponents would have closed it out.

Alan Ważny on his plans for the future

In your senior career, do you plan to focus solely on singles or combine singles and doubles?

I'll definitely focus on singles, but as soon as Oskari and I have the opportunity to be at the same tournament, I think we'll also try our hand at doubles. I feel great joy playing with him on the court.

Do you enjoy giving interviews? What do journalists ask you most often?

I like it; it doesn't bother me that much, even though there's a lot of it. After a while, it gets a bit tiring. The questions are repetitive. Most often, they ask me how it all started. I then tell them that my dad pushed me into tennis because I didn't want to, I cried, and I was reluctant.

Are you more of a humanities major, or do you prefer math or science? I know you studied online. Didn't you miss going to school?

I didn't miss going to school one bit. I had other goals and priorities related to tennis. I'd say none of the three, but if I had to choose, I think I'd choose math.

Next year you'll be taking your A-Levels. Why not the Polish Matura?

I'll be taking A Levels. I did five years of online British schooling. My curriculum was geared towards this exam, but I don't know yet when I'll attempt it. It all depends on the tournament calendar, and I have a very high level of English.

You look up to Rafael Nadal. What impressed you about him?

Certainly, it's his bravery, fighting spirit, and determination to achieve his goals. Rafa won most of his titles more through character than through his play.

Tennis was your first choice. Did you have a moment of doubt about pursuing tennis to the fullest? Who encouraged you more – your coaches or your parents?

From the moment I started training, I wanted to play tennis. No one really pushed me. My parents didn't force me.

Do you and Oskari Paldanius inspire each other?

We need to motivate each other and support each other. Cheers like "common" and "let's go" also help. We don't spend much time off the court because he trains in Finland and I train in Poland, so we only really see each other at tournaments.

I know you practiced on the courts in Michałówek before Wimbledon. That was your first experience on grass…

We actually managed to practice there. It was a great opportunity to see what the grass was like. It was my first time playing on this type of surface, but the grass is really pleasant to play on, and I immediately liked it.

Do you prefer to go into the match as a favorite or play as an underdog?

It doesn't really matter to me. It's definitely easier to play as an underdog when it comes to approaching the match itself this way. You don't have any pressure. You're relaxed, you have nothing to lose, and you play. When you go into a tournament, seeded number one or two, you expect yourself to go far. The pressure can be very detrimental, and you could be eliminated in the first round. But I think I can handle it.

When are you going to play with seniors and start earning points in the ATP rankings?

I'm slowly starting to play at the senior level. I earned my first ATP points in Cyprus. I also recently played at the Challenger in Poznań, where I received a wildcard into the main draw. There, I played against Indian Sumit Nagal, whom I lost 4-6 in the third set. So, my senior career is slowly starting. I actually have the last few junior tournaments left, including the US Open.

After your recent successes, do you feel recognized in Rzeszów?

There's definitely more interest in me. Some people recognize me, especially on the courts, but also in the city. There's definitely a difference than before. Of course, popularity can be a hindrance, but we plan everything so that the focus is primarily on tennis, with the media taking a back seat.

Who would Alan Ważny be if not a tennis player?

I never thought about it. I didn't even practice any other sport. Since I was a child, it was just tennis. I always dreamed of being a tennis player, but I could be, for example... a Formula 1 driver (laughs).

You recently turned 18. What can I wish you on this occasion, besides good health?

Health is the most important thing, but apart from that, I also want happiness and success on the courts, a quick transition into senior tennis, and to escape from Futures tournaments as quickly as possible.