In early September, Vasek Pospisil boarded a plane headed for Belgrade, Serbia as Canada attempted to reach the finals of the Davis Cup. Two months and 40,000 kilometres later, he is finally back on North American soil with his breakthrough 2013 season in the books, and Pospisil is running on empty.
"I’m definitely feeling exhausted," Pospisil said. "I’ve had a long couple months, but it’s nice to be tired; it means it’s been a good year."
Pospisil admitted that the fatigue was affecting his on-court work, especially near the end of the season – he lost in the first round of the ATP Masters in Paris to 52nd-ranked Pablo Andujar last week. Over the next eight weeks, he will train in Bradenton, Florida at the IMG academy with his coach, Fred Fontang, looking to improve on his career-high ranking of 32nd in the world.
While his semifinal appearance at the Rogers Cup in August was the primary factor in his massive ranking boost, Pospisil told Sportsnet that his late-season success in Asia and Europe was integral heading into a pivotal 2014.
"The run in Montreal was incredible but it was even better for my confidence to follow up with another top-10 win in Shanghai and a good run in Basel," he said.
The tournament in Switzerland was highlighted by Pospisil’s second-ever match against Roger Federer. But, the circumstances this time around — a 3-6, 7-6 (3), 5-7 semifinal loss — were vastly different.
"This time I actually felt that I could maybe actually win the match. I gave myself zero chance to win (in 2011); this time, it was a little bit different," Pospisil said. "But even with that frame of mind, I started the match extremely nervous. It’s difficult to play someone you’ve idolized growing up."
The Basel semi marked the fifth time this season Pospisil faced a top-10 player. He was able to come away with a win in two of those matches, and went to a deciding set in losses to Federer and David Ferrer.
"That’s going to be key for me going forward," Pospisil added. "These matches I’ve played against top-10 players this year were great experience for me. I think I know what it takes to get to the next level."
Pospisil’s ascent up the ATP rankings has led to many changes in his life, perhaps most drastically in his bank account. He earned over half-a-million dollars in prize money in 2013, more than triple what he made in 2012.
After accomplishing his two main ranking goals in 2013 — reaching the top 50, and then the top 32 — Pospisil has set his sights on bigger and better things come January. His off-season last year was cut short because of a bout with mononucleosis, but in many ways, that’s given Pospisil confidence of what he can accomplish with a full training regimen at 100 per cent.
"I haven’t spoken to my coach about it yet, but I can already guess what the goals will be. I think a great year for me would be a top-20, top-15 finish," Pospisil said. "And perhaps even win my first ATP title."
Pospisil maintained that reaching those on-court objectives is far more satisfying than any of the rewards that follow.
"That’s what’s driving me forward right now. Human nature is pretty greedy. Once I achieve a goal, I want to achieve another one. I don’t think I’ve fully reached my potential. I still think I can make big improvements in my game."
