 Do you remember those 2 fantastic matches that you played against Hana Mandlikova and Novotna?
Yes I do. I remember when I played against Hana on one of the outside stadiums at the Australian Open and I did not want to look at the score board because I grew up watching her on television so to see my name next to hers would be a big distraction. I remember reading the newspaper the next day where she was quoted saying, “How could I lose to a kid?”
Five years later I played against Novotna and Hana was with her at the time coaching her, I was down 5-3 in the first set and after I did not lose a game. I played really well.
What were your greatest and worst moments of your tennis career?
It would probably be the second time I made it to the quarters at the Australian Open. I appreciated it more than the first time because I had stopped playing for one year my ranking dropped to like 300, I had no agent and nobody really believing in me besides my family so to make the quarters again was pretty special. The worst. hummmmmm
mmmm…I don’t remember.
Do you miss playing?
I think you know better than anyone how tough it is to compete, the pressure you put on yourself and the traveling. That part I don’t miss. I am now coaching I do get to hit a little but I do miss hitting against pro players that hit a perfect ball every time.
You reached I think the number 36 in the world, what do you think you needed to become number one in the world?
Crazier parents (just kidding). I think just being more consistent with playing and my results. I stopped playing soon after I made the quarters at the Australian Open at 16. Every girl that I grew up with, Anke Huber, Magdalena Maleeva, Monica Seles, Capriati we where all in the same group of having good results and they all made the top ten except me. I was very young and I did not know how to handle all the expectations people put on me. I went from being a qualifier to the girl to beat and I felt that all eyes where on me which now I think how arrogant it was to think or feel that way.
I felt that everybody, my agent, and my parents were controlling me. I had contracts everywhere and I felt that someone had a remote control telling me where to go and what to do next. I have never liked to be controlled I don’t think anybody does. My parents where unbelievably good to me but also had a hard time dealing with me at the time because I was very confused and had a lot of questions about what was going on in my life.
I had an internal conflict questioning myself all the time like why was my life more valuable now than it was before when I wasn’t successful? I would ask my parents, if I stop playing would you still be proud of me? Are you still going to love me?
It all sounds so silly now BUT at the time I felt like their happiness revolved around my life and I did not want to disappoint them. I needed to get away from the game and while I did that everybody that I grew up playing against else moved up into the top ten
During the end of your career you did a lot of modeling and also TV Shows, are you still pursuing both today?
Tennis opened a lot of doors for me in the Latin market. I enjoyed doing sports television and because of that other opportunities came. Sometimes I get invited to do television and I enjoy it BUT its not something that I am pursuing.
You are totally in the business world now with your clothing line “Angalo Activewear” in 2007. How did you get started?
My mom is the one that came up with the idea and its a lot of work .In my culture its very important for the women to be very feminine and take care of herself. My mom always told me to look feminine, wear earrings and dress nicely. When I first started playing people made a big deal out of my earrings and lipstick but to me it was normal to be that way but I guess for a lot of people it was different to see a pro athlete to compete with make up and earrings. We have always been into clothing and fashion and we thought it would be a good time to start our own clothing line where athletes could train and compete and still look and feel good.
You have been coaching since your retirement in 2000. Are you enjoying coaching?
As a player I was the first one to think that players who go into coaching were crazy. Why would anybody want to be on a tennis court after having spent every second in one? I took two years off after I retired, started hitting here and there with some players and I started coaching two girls from Mexico, Laila and Nadia Abdala. They both woke up this passion I had inside of me to coach. I never thought I would love coaching so much and I realized that God gives us all gifts not to keep for ourselves but to help others and tennis is the gift I got blessed with.
Are there many “Gavaldons” coming up?
Hope there are better players than me coming up. There is talent in Mexico BUT unfortunately a lot of players grow up in an environment where tennis is seen as a sport only the rich play and there are no real programs or training facilities where you see kids from a young age learning the discipline and the skills that it takes to be a good competitive player.
Why do you think Mexican tennis is not producing more players like you and Raul Ramirez?
There are a lot of professional tournaments, junior tournaments, and Mexico is spending a lot of money in sports!
I think soccer is still and probably will always be the most popular sport in Mexico. Tennis isn't. There are so many factors that come into play on why Mexico has not produced any players. First of all we lack the drive from parents. I see a lot of talent but when it comes down to it, entering a tournament, training during vacation or missing a family event a lot of families aren't willing to sacrifice their time to help their child develop to their full potential.
I read an article where a famous coach from Russia said that the most important key for a child succeeding in tennis is "driven parents" to a point I have to agree with this. I see some eager kids with the financial back up but without the parents behind them and this is tough in an over protective culture that family life and pleasing your parents is the most important thing.
Another factor is that good players grow up training in an environment where tennis is more social and they develop habits later on that are hard to break. For instance I was fed cup captain for Mexico last year and it was hard to train most of the girls because they aren't use to training so hard and have no sense of what it takes to be a world class player.
Another example is Leo Lavalle invited me to train the best players in Mexico for two weeks. We saw every top player our country has and Leo brought his old coach from the tour to help us train the kids. He was horrified, I remember him saying, these are the best kids?" what is this a country club?" I think we need better programs to train kids and parents.
How important was your family for you during your career and in life?
The most important. Without them I would have never done anything. They are the most important role models in my life and their unconditional love and support has given me so much. I think in the long run the best example a parent can give their kids is not what they tell them or what they preach to them but on how they live their lives. It’s no good telling your kid not to lie when the parent lies all the time. My parents are two amazing human beings that are very humble and generous with people.
I am so grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to play tennis and most of all for teaching me about life. I remember my dad watching my matches and if I called a ball out that he thought was in he would embarrass me in front of my opponent and say,” that ball was in." I think it’s so important to teach kids to always do the right thing no matter what. I see so much cheating now in junior tennis and I think part of it has to do with the pressure parents are putting on their kids.
What is your view on the game today? Eastern country players dominate the WTA.
I think there are a lot more players in the top twenty from Russia. I think it started with Anna Kournikova where they saw her being very successful and I am sure this inspired a lot of girls to follow in her footsteps. Looking at a billboard of her I am sure a lot of little girls looked up to her and dreamed of being in her footsteps so I think its great what she did for tennis. I think there are a lot of stronger fitter players than before. There is definitely a lot more power in the game today
You are now married, are you planning to expand the family?
I am very fortunate to be with somebody that is in the same business than that and me comes from a tennis family and we definitely want to expand our family.
Where is your favorite place to be?
Home.
Angelica, the world is in turmoil today. What would you do or change to make it a better one?
I think if we all followed Gods word and loved one another this world would be a better place. I try every day to remind myself that life isn’t about me but it’s about Gods plan and what he wants for us. We are all given chances every day to make a difference in someone’s life even if it’s just saying a kind word to somebody. Sometimes we think we have to do so much to make a difference but I think even in the little things we can make a big difference
Angelica, ITM want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Your charisma and style of play have helped made the game of tennis more interesting to watch. All the best to and your family!
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