Moldovan history maker Radu Albot’s rise shaped by parents’ financial sacrifices
Radu Albot’s parents sacrificed their apartment to give him the best opportunity of making a name for himself in world tennis. The World No. 46, who is in Sydney for the ATP Cup, has repaid their faith by making Moldovan history.
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While tennis brats shout at umpires, break rackets and cruise around in luxury cars, world No. 46 Radu Albot is simply grateful to be playing ATP Tour tennis.
Moldova’s highest ranked player in history has touched down in Sydney for the ATP Cup, but he’ll never forget learning to serve on that old indoor wooden court in Chișinău.
Nor will he forget his parents’ decision to sell their apartment to fund his tennis lessons, equipment and tournament trips.
“They must think it’s normal, that the federation pays for everything,” Albot said.
“But it cannot compare to other countries like mine, where all expenses are paid from my pocket only, I don’t think they know how lucky they are.”
Albot recognises that his journey to the ATP Tour would be very different had he grown up in Australia.
“Financially, it was very difficult, Moldova isn’t a very developed country, sponsorship is hard here … the infrastructure in Moldova was lower developed, we did not so many good quality courts, ” Albot said.
“But I don’t want to make this a sad story here … I did everything by myself and that means I’m a strong guy to get here.”
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Last year, 11 years after he turned professional, Albot became the first player from his country to win an ATP singles title (2019 Delray Beach Open).
The 30-year-old is now playing his best tennis and ready for team Moldova to have a crack at the ATP Cup.
“For Moldova to be among the best 24 countries in the world, that’s not an easy achievement for our country, we only have one player on tour and our No. 2 player Alexander Cosbinov is ranked 829,” Albot said.
“I’m proud to put Moldova on the map, I’m sure lots of Australians don’t even know where Moldova is.”
But not all players were happy that the small eastern European country qualified for the ATP Cup.
World No. 36 Reilly Opelka described the new tournament as “pathetic” and that it was “unfair” to include countries such as Moldova.
“I mean, their No 1 player (world No 42 Radu Albot) is ranked pretty far behind me, and their No. 2 player, I don’t think he’s ranked,” the American said in November.
“So that’s going to make for an 0-0 match that’s going to be 30 minutes maybe. That’s not good for the sport.”
Albot disagreed with Opelka’s comments and believes Moldova’s inclusion in the ATP Cup will only grow tennis in his country.
“I know Riley pretty good, I think we get along well, I think there was something misunderstood by the reporters, at least I hope so,” Albot said.
“But when I get to see him, I will ask him about these comments. I don’t think you should mention names and countries and say they’ll lose a match in 30 minutes.”