net at the
By Brian Coleman
with Giuliana Olmos
arlier this summer, Giuliana Photo credit to Inphorm “Gugu” Olmos got the phone call that many athletes from all sports can only dream about getting. While driving with her husband, she answered the phone to find her coach on the other end, informing her that she qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. “I remember I was driving at the time and about to make a left turn, and when my coach told me I just couldn’t believe it,” said Olmos, who is representing Mexico and playing doubles with Renata Zarazua. “I almost hit another car, and my husband had between this year and others it that I to grab the steering wheel to put me believe I belong,” she said. “I have back into the lane…it’s definitely always been a goal of mine, but to be different expectations of myself. I remember in previous years, I was completely honest, it was a goal I hoping to qualify for the Slams, or never thought I would reach.” just win one round, and I think this Olmos’ Olympics invite comes on year I know I can do more than that. the heels of what has been the most I just believe in myself more, and successful year for her on tour. Her have the confidence that I can play and partner, Canadian Sharon well at these top-level tournaments Fichman, reached the quarterfinals of and compete with the best players.” the Australian Open at the beginning Since she was 11-years-old, Olmos of the year, and would go on to win knew she wanted to be a the Italian Open trophy a few months professional tennis player. She first later. started playing when she was fourAt the French Open, Olmos paired years-old, but actually didn’t enjoy with Juan Sebastian Cabal of tennis until she got a bit older. There Colombia and the duo advanced to was a time, she says, when she took the semifinals. more enjoyment out of watching “This has definitely been my best other players rather than playing year so far. I think the difference
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herself when she was tournaments. That changed when her and her family flew up to San Diego for a tournament when she was 11. “I just remember loving the feeling of flying to a tournament and staying at a hotel. I felt like a pro,” she recalls. “And I loved that. I had the itch to travel and see the world, which really inspired me. Now I’m lucky enough to do that for a living.” Olmos starred at the University of Southern California before turning pro, and it took some time for her to become acclimated with that adjustment. “I think the hardest part of that transition is that you are now by yourself. In college, you travel with your teammates and coaches, and whatever you need, it’s covered and paid for,” she said. “You’re never really alone; you just have to focus on going out there and playing your best. But when you get to the pros, you have to do everything yourself, and there’s added pressure because of that. You are on your own, playing small tournaments in different countries, trying to get enough points to move up the rankings. I think that’s the point when a lot of players decide to quit. It did take me a few years to move up, but every year I felt I was improving, so I never felt stuck. In