By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday March 9, 2023
As he approaches 30, American Marcos Giron is searching for another peak level in his game.
Photo Source: Getty
Former NCAA champion Marcos Giron had a breakout performance at the BNP Paribas Open in 2019, when he reached the third round through qualifying. Back then he was outside the Top 200 and coming off of multiple injuries. But the tournament would mark the beginning of a return to form and fulfillment of promise from Giron.
In recent years, Giron, who is now 29, has maximized his talents, reaching into the Top 50 for a spell and earning victories over the likes of Matteo Berrettini, Frances Tiafoe, Holger Rune, Taylor Fritz and Cameron Norrie.
But he’s not satisfied yet. After his first-round win over Aleks Kovacevic at Indian Wells on Wednesday we spoke with Giron about his game, his goals, and his mission for the future.
What is the essence of Marcos Giron tennis. How would you define it?
“I think overall I can do many things well on the tennis court. I think my game doesn’t have a whole lot of holes in it. I can hit my forehand well, I can hit my backhand well, I can hit a good serve for my height. I can return well and I can move well, so I can do a lot of things well.
I might not have the biggest forehand in the world, I might not have the biggest backhand in the world, I might not have the biggest serve in the world, but I can do a lot on court and I’m mentally there all the time. And when I am competing very well I think I can really hurt guys and I can be aggressive also even though I’m not really the biggest guy.
You talked today about controlling the points and being the first one to use aggression in the rally. Is that how your tennis is evolving these days?
“I think that’s what is enabling me to play better and better over the last six months. I’ve been able to be more aggressive, take control of matches and I have the ability to do that.
“I think that’s one of the challenges, because in my game I have a lot of options, so I think sometimes it’s hard to decide what options to use.”
With your injury history, is it important to you to keep points and matches a bit shorter?
“Honestly I’ve played a lot of three-setters over the last few years – a lot. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was more than most players in terms of percentage of options played. And I’ve won a lot of them, so I think it gives credit to my fitness and my ability and handling pressure, but that being said you don’t necessarily want to be playing three-setters when you don’t have to.”
Do you think this aggressive mindset, coupled with your grit, can get you to the next level?
“I’ve been 50 in the world, 60 in the world, 70 in the world, I want to make the push to the Top 30. I don’t want to just be 50 in the world, even though it’s a good accomplishment. I want to make the steps to the next level, and to be there I have to be able to take the guys out – there’s no hoping for the opponents to miss, and if they are in control they are more than likely going to win the match, over time.”
It’s maybe a matter of not just doing it, but doing it consistently?
“Absolutely. I think that’s kind of natural. And if you look back at my whole tennis career, I’ve never been the guy that’s been like ‘I’m going to be Top 5 in the world and that’s that.’ But I’ve always gotten to a level. 12s, 14s, I always get to the level. I finished No.1 in the nation, 14s, 16s, 18s, college. So I find that that’s been my pattern overall, that I get to a level and I’m very competitive, so when I play against other guys, I feel like ‘You know what? I can beat him.’
“ And it takes time because the margins are so small on tour, but every time I’ve been able to overcome and beat opponents and I feel like I have the tools and the ability to do so. So I’m very happy with my career but I feel like honestly last year was a bit of a letdown for me, so I know I have more in me and I think I have the ability to hurt other players.”
Six years ago, when you were a qualifier and outside of the Top 200, it must have been difficult to imagine that you would get to the level you were currently at, having so many solid years on tour?
“I think it’s different than 2019, coming in here just wide-eyed, kind of excited, playing well when I wanted to do it. I was telling myself I can do it, but you don’t know until you do it. Now I feel like I’m coming into tournaments believing and knowing that I’m able to beat these guys on a consistent basis and I just have to do it, so it’s a different perspective.
Your thoughts on facing Frances Tiafoe in Round 2, that should be a special moment!
“It’s amazing. You have to look forward to these matches. I seem to always be playing Americans, but Frances is a lot of fun. We’re friends and he’s got so much ability and potential but I also believe that I can win – I’m excited to be playing her in the desert and it’s always amazing, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”