Seeded as no. 5 Marcos FREITAS of Portugal will play for the 8th time at the 2021 POMEGRANATE Europe Top 16 Cup. The winner of the competition in Lausanne 2014 and runner up a year later in Baku will face fierce competition in Thessaloniki this year as well.
“For me Top 12 and now 16 are very important tournaments. I played it for years and I still have not lose the excitement and feel of exclusivity for this competition. It is one of the most important events in Europe and I did not want to miss it although it was very difficult to choose since we have Qatar and European Championships all in September. However I choose to play at Top 16 because it has very great importance historically it has a special place for all top European players and it means a lot to be present and bring a good result home from Top 16 ” explained Marcos.
A win in Switzerland 7 years ago launched FREITAS to the top of Europe.
“I have greatest memories of that tournament. It was amazing to win the Top 12. It was my first big victory at major events in singles. It was an unforgettable moment. It is a competition where only the best in Europe are invited and being a winner is great achievement. I will be well prepared this time again I hope to reach the semifinal and to be in position to fight for the title ” announced FREITAS.
In Tokyo at the Olympic Games Marcos reached the Round of 16 in singles.
“Until the last moment I did not believe we will have Olympics but it really happened. I played at the Olympics Games since Beijing 2008 and this one was very different. However despite all the measures and COVID threat it was very nice to be present in Japan and we had a very good tournament. Unfortunately it was not same with the draw. It did not work our way. In Team’s event we had Germany in the first round ” saidFREITAS.
Intensive preparations and hard competition at the Olympics were not rewarded with the long break.
“I only had two weeks to recover. I needed that break at the end of long cycle to recharge the batteries. Now I am already in training process for few weeks. I am preparing for Top 16 in Porto in national’s team center.”
