Valencia native Carlos López Montagud is determined to climb his way back toward the top of the ATP rankings. Currently sitting at World No. 645, the 25-year-old Spaniard has already enjoyed career highs, including a ranking of World No. 331 in January 2023 and a strong junior career that saw him rise to World No. 11. With eight ITF World Tennis Tour titles under his belt, including his most recent win earlier this year in Gandía, López Montagud is once again knocking on the door of bigger stages.
Last week and after battling through the qualifying, he reached the second round of the LXII Copa Sevilla, marking his first ATP Challenger Tour main-draw victory of the season. “I played two very good matches in the qualifying and felt really good on court,” he said after winning his first-round encounter in the capital city of Andalusia against Carlos Sanchez Jover. “I played against one of my best friends on the tour, which is never easy. He didn’t compete at his highest level, but I am happy for the win.”
The result is another step forward for a player whose career has been shaped as much by resilience as by talent.
From early steps to the pro circuit
López Montagud first picked up a racket at the age of four, when his mother, who was taking tennis lessons herself, arranged for him and his three brothers to join in. By the age of nine, he was training daily. His early development paid off quickly, as he climbed the junior ranks, playing Grand Slam events and reaching the quarterfinals at the boys’ event at Roland Garros. He also captured a prestigious title at the Ferrero Tennis Academy in Villena, a highlight he still cherishes.
Like many promising juniors, the jump to the professional tour proved challenging. “I was playing in Grand Slam tournaments at the biggest stages. They treat you like professional players,” he explained.
Financial constraints also added to the difficulty. Without federation support or sponsors, López Montagud relied on prize money tournaments and club matches to finance his career. “When I turned 19, I already competed in prize money tournaments. Playing team matches helps financially. I played in Germany, Italy, Spain and probably in France later this year.”
In Germany, he has represented clubs in Leipzig and Mannheim, experiences made possible thanks to his friendship with fellow Spaniard Pedro Martínez.