Víctor Pecci: “Today tennis is much more professional; we learned almost by intuition”

Víctor Pecci, a celebrated figure in Paraguayan sports and a 1979 Roland Garros finalist, believes modern tennis is far more professional than when he competed. Pecci, who became an international reference point for multiple generations, shared his insights on his career's pivotal moments and the sport's evolution during an appearance on El Polideportivo de ABC Cardinal.

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I didn't start thinking about being a professional. I played because I had fun. I also played soccer and swam, but little by little I started excelling in tennis, and everything happened step by step.

Pecci recalled that his early tennis experiences were largely intuitive. Growing up in a sports-oriented family, he began playing casually at Club Centenario without initial aspirations of reaching the world elite. "I didn't start thinking about being a professional. I played because I had fun. I also played soccer and swam, but little by little I started excelling in tennis, and everything happened step by step," he commented.

His career trajectory shifted after winning junior tournaments in South America and competing in the Roland Garros Junior championships. A six-month stint in Europe following that trip proved transformative. "That's when I saw the best players in the world compete for the first time. I realized I wasn't that far from being able to compete with them, and I decided to pursue professionalism," Pecci recalled.

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That's when I saw the best players in the world compete for the first time. I realized I wasn't that far from being able to compete with them, and I decided to pursue professionalism.

He emphasized the significant changes in player preparation, noting the absence of specialized coaches, physical trainers, psychologists, and nutritionists during his era. "We learned practically on our own. We didn't have specialized coaches, physical trainers, psychologists, or nutritionists. Today, kids have all that support from a very young age, and that makes a huge difference." Pecci also pointed out technological advancements, such as lighter, larger, and more powerful rackets compared to the heavy metal rackets he used, which drastically altered the speed and spin of the ball.

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We learned practically on our own. We didn't have specialized coaches, physical trainers, psychologists, or nutritionists. Today, kids have all that support from a very young age, and that makes a huge difference.