The Nomadic Life With… Pablo Carreno Busta
Spanish World No. 11 Pablo Carreno Busta speaks to ATPTour.com about his life as a tennis player; the nomadic lifestyle that sees him pack his bags every week to travel to a new destination with the hope of bettering himself on the ATP Tour.
Which non-sporting items do you always take travelling?
Until a few months ago, I always travelled with my PlayStation, but now I’m stopping that. I’m maturing a bit more (laughs). In recent tournaments I’ve tended to take a book, my headphones and my computer to watch a few series or do the odd thing that always crops up. Little else.
Have you ever forgotten anything that has stressed you out?
I have a pretty good memory, because I normally do the same thing when I get on the plane. I have my routine, and that helps me not forget essential things. The odd time, I’ve forgotten my tablet or a charger, but it hasn’t really stressed me out.
What are those routines on the plane?
I sit down, take my tablet or my book with me, and try to get as comfortable as possible. I also leave my wallet and my passport in the compartment so that I don’t forget them. I always do the same thing. Then, I watch a film or a series, or read my book to pass the time. But I also sleep easily. And sometimes when I get on a plane my body tells me I need to rest immediately.
Do you enjoy travelling around the world or do you simply consider it to be something you have to do to be a professional tennis player?
It’s true that you don’t always feel like travelling, and that sometimes you’d rather stay at home. But the truth is that I really enjoy playing tennis and everything that comes with it. It’s my life, my passion, and I’m very comfortable travelling.
What do you like most about travelling?
The best thing is that you visit different countries, discover their culture and, above all, their food. It’s true that sometimes we can’t enjoy everything we’d like to. Now, because of the COVID-19 bubbles. And because, at the end of the day, you’re at a tournament and you can’t visit all the things you’d like to. But discovering another country’s culture and gastronomy is something you can do. I love that.
How do you try and overcome the time difference and acclimatise to the local time zone?
Honestly, I don’t tend to have too much difficulty. But there is work behind that. I calculate when I take my flights. I try to sleep if I’m travelling at night. I also make an effort not to sleep if I’m going to sleep when I arrive. I pass the time watching films and reading books. I try to get used to the time zone of the country I’m going to be in a little earlier.
Can you talk about a time when you decided to play in a tournament partly because you wanted to visit the city?
I don’t look so much at where I’m travelling to, more at the schedule that suits me best. The cities have never defined my calendar, it’s more the sporting side. And if I miss a city on the calendar, I know I will probably be able to visit it the following year.
Which is your favourite tournament city to visit and why?
Many. Right now I can tell you it’s Hamburg. It’s a beautiful city, there are a lot of places to visit. My last time there, I visited many beautiful places with my girlfriend and we shared a lot of good times. I can also say that I’m happy going to play in Australia. Melbourne is also beautiful. And I loved Perth.
What is your favourite holiday destination?
I was recently lucky enough to visit Tanzania, and I really liked it. We went for one week, I was resting there, disconnecting on very beautiful beaches. We went on the odd excursion. I had a great time. I wouldn’t say I want to go back because I always want to go to new places, but I’d recommend it.
What’s your craziest travel story?
Once, to go to Cincinnati we had three layovers, and on the second one we missed the flight and got stuck in Dallas. There were no flights the next day, so we had to go on a road trip. It was a real ordeal. I think it was the only long journey I have missed. I’ve also missed short flights. In Valencia, in Paris… But it wasn’t much of an issue because there you’re closer to home.
As a tennis player, looking after your body is essential. How do you do that on long journeys?
We do a lot of treatments with the physios. And for long flights, I try to hydrate a lot and use compression socks.
Do you normally arrive at the airport with a lot of time to spare?
If I’m familiar with the airport, I don’t. If they’re new, I go with a lot of time to spare. I’m organised with time, I’m very punctual, it’s one of the things that characterises me, I’m really careful about that. I really don’t like waiting for other people at all. That’s why I try to be the first to arrive.