Betting Threat Shakes Tomás Barrios, But he’s Focused on Top 100

Tomas Barrios Vera of Chile returns a shot (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Tomás Barrios received a threat after losing a Challenger match. The message: “I’m waiting outside your hotel.” The angry and frustrated bettor knew the hotel — and even his room number.

“I was really scared. I’d just lost a match in Mexico City, and then I got a voice message on Instagram: ‘I’m waiting outside your hotel.’ I called the tournament director and said, ‘Get me a security guard or there’s no way I’m playing,’” he told CLAY and RG Media in an interview. In it, he also discussed the changes he’s making to take the next step in his professional career.

After earning his first win at the Masters 1000 level this week in Toronto, a video of his unorthodox drop shot went viral on social media.

In a 2023 interview with CLAY, Barrios explained the origin of the peculiar shot — which he hits by gripping the racquet by the throat when playing it from the forehand side: “I’ve been doing it since I was ten. I guess it’s because I wasn’t strong enough. It just feels more comfortable. I can’t play the drop shot gripping the racquet from the bottom. Then I let go and quickly reset for the volley. But it’s not something I’d ever teach anyone.”

He says he’s more mature now and making key changes to finally establish himself in the top 100 and become a regular presence at ATP-level events. A sign of maturity? “I’m listening to my coach more.”

The Chilean has finally started investing in a fitness coach. His physical condition has always been his weak spot, and he believes that with his body in peak shape, he can reach the goals he’s set for himself.

Interview with Tomás Barrios

— The cheque Grand Slams give out is especially important for players outside the top 100. How does that financial relief reach you?

— It’s a good cheque that makes a difference. Playing a Grand Slam doesn’t really boost your ranking unless you win a few matches. I travel with a big team, so my expenses are high, and the prize money from big tournaments is what mainly allows me to keep travelling with my team and avoid struggling all year.

— Chilean tennis players haven’t had a great season overall. You came close to becoming Chile’s No.1 for the first time. Is that something you'd like to achieve?

— Ale (Tabilo) and Nico (Jarry) have been injured and dropped because of that. Cristián (Garin) went through a tough stretch but has recently found his best level. It’s not the ideal moment to become No.1 in Chile, to be honest. I haven’t thought about it that much. I feel like I’m playing well. I’m more focused on consolidating my place in the top 100 than on becoming the No.1 in Chile. I like playing ATP events and hope to keep having good runs so I can be in those tournaments more regularly. I’ve also stayed healthy, and that makes me happy, because my health has been a struggle in recent years. Thankfully, I’m doing well now.

— What changes did you make?

— I’d say I’ve matured and I listen to my coach more. I invest more in my team; I travel with more people who look after me. I’ve spent years with a similar ranking and playing the same tournaments. I know the Challenger circuit very well. So I know how to manage things, what works for me and what doesn’t.

— Your physical condition has always been considered your weak point. Do you agree?

— Yes, I agree.

— On a scale from one to ten, how would you rate your fitness today?

— I’m better now. I’d say a six or seven. I hope to keep improving. I decided to invest in a fitness coach, and that’s helped me stay healthy and injury-free.

— And when you get close to a ten, what’s your ceiling?

— That’s the question my whole team asks. We’re aiming to improve physically and then see how far we can go. We’re working to be in the big tournaments. I still believe I have a lot more to give.

— Who are your friends on tour? Who’s in your close circle?

— I get along well with the Chileans. People say we don’t, that there are tensions. Let’s be clear... we have a great vibe, a good relationship. I get along really well with Fede Gómez — I met him a year ago. He’s a great guy, we always chat and go out to eat. Among South Americans, in general, there’s always good energy. It’s important, because we all spend a lot of time away from home. Sometimes we’re on the road for two months and we need to support each other. It’s tough being so far from home and alone.

— Is there anyone you don’t get along with?

— Nah, no one. About my friends, I forgot to mention Charly (Carlos Gómez-Herrera). I’d say he’s my best friend. He’s not playing anymore — he works with Djokovic now. I see him quite a bit.

— Has he ever shared a Djokovic secret with you?

— Djokovic uses the same string as me, so I ask Charly for strings, because I usually have to buy them. Sometimes he gives me some. That’s as close to Djokovic as I get (laughs).

— Have you ever had problems with bettors?

— I had a big scare once. I came off court in Mexico City… after every match they just rip you apart with insults. I have a private Instagram, but they still come at you. I was really pissed — I had just lost 7-6 in the third to (Dominik) Koepfer. Then I get this voice message saying, “I’m waiting outside your hotel, you’re staying at this hotel, in this room.” And I had to leave the hotel for a doubles match. I was terrified. I called the tournament director: “Bring me a security guard or I’m not leaving, no way.” Luckily nothing happened. They later told me it was something that had happened before in Mexico and not to worry.

— Barking dogs don’t bite…

— I don’t know! I was scared to death. Security came, and I got to the club without any issues. It was really close.

— Do you play golf? More and more tennis players are getting into it.

— No, but I’d like to learn. A friend of mine plays and keeps telling me to go. One day I’ll join him and give it a try.

— With his Netflix documentary, Carlos Alcaraz brought up the idea of going out to party between tournaments as a way to unwind and actually perform better. What do you think? Is partying ever necessary for you?

How often can Alcaraz even go out? Three, four — let’s say five times a year? If he went out as much as people think, he wouldn’t be doing as well as he is. I know how hard he trains. I’ve seen it. Everyone knows it. It’s not like people say.

— In your case, partying time to time does help?

— No, not really. Maybe once in a while if you’re burned out. But in the end, it doesn’t help. If you go out partying, the next day you can’t do anything. You wake up tired. It just wipes you out.

— Do you think doubles deserves more attention, like in the past?

— It’s tough. On one hand, I see Challenger events where players are making, what, five or six hundred dollars for a whole week — and we’re talking about guys ranked in the top 100. Look at Matías Soto (Chilean player, 250° in singles, 104° in doubles), he’s won around 15 Challengers and still isn’t in the top 100. So clearly something’s wrong. In ATP tournaments, you win one match and it’s like winning a whole Challenger. So once you reach the ATP level, just being somewhat consistent is enough to stay there. On the other hand, it’s true that doubles doesn’t really sell. Something needs to change — but no one’s figured out what yet.