Spain's United Cup tennis squad has embraced the iconic Australian beach culture, trading baseline rallies for waves during a surfing lesson at Perth's famous Trigg Beach.
A Welcome Respite Before High-Stakes Clash
Fresh from their opening 3-0 loss to Argentina at RAC Arena on Friday, the Spanish team sought a unique way to unwind ahead of a critical showdown with the powerhouse United States team on Monday. The squad's leading lights, men's world No.33 Jaume Munar and women's world No.41 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, were the stars of the show, swapping their tennis racquets for surfboards under the Western Australian sun.
While both athletes eventually found their feet on the boards, mastering the swells of the Indian Ocean, they now face a different kind of wave crashing towards them. The sporting challenge awaiting them at RAC Arena promises to be significantly more formidable than the surf at Trigg.
Daunting Task Awaits on Court
The Spanish duo will need to produce the performances of their careers to keep their nation's quarter-final hopes alive. Munar is set for a daunting rematch against men's world No.6 Taylor Fritz of the USA. Their only previous encounter was a nail-biting three-set thriller at Indian Wells in 2022, which Fritz won 6-4, 2-6, 7-6.
For Bouzas Maneiro, the challenge is equally steep. She will face the reigning French Open champion and women's world No.3 Coco Gauff. The American phenom acknowledged the unique difficulty of facing an unfamiliar opponent, stating she finds it "always tricky playing someone you've never played before" and plans to take the match point-by-point.
Spain's Quarter-Final Hanging in the Balance
The surfing excursion followed a tough start to the tournament for the Spanish team. Both Munar and Bouzas Maneiro suffered opening-match defeats in Perth. Munar fell in a tense two-set battle to Argentina's Sebastian Baez, 6-4, 6-4. Bouzas Maneiro showed fighting spirit, clawing back to take the second set against Solana Sierra, but ultimately succumbed 6-4, 5-7, 6-0.
With their backs against the wall, the Spanish team must now secure a favourable result against the star-studded American lineup. The outcome will determine whether their United Cup journey continues beyond the group stage or ends on Australian shores. After riding the waves at Trigg, they'll be hoping to ride a wave of momentum into Monday's must-win tie.
