Welcome to the latest instalment of Kamilla Bartone’s blog. The 18-year-old enjoyed a successful junior career and claimed the girls' doubles title alongside Oksana Selekhmeteva at the 2019 US Open. Despite the challenges which 2020 presented, Kamilla won her first professional title in November. She is writing regular pieces for the ITF, providing insight into life as an aspiring player in these testing times.

I’m not going to lie; it’s been a tough start to 2021.

I think we all thought this year was going to be better but, so far, it’s been the same as 2020 for most people. In terms of tennis, there are not as many tournaments taking place as before, while at the events we do have the competition is really hard.

Don't get me wrong, I’m glad and grateful that we can play tournaments but I really miss the old times before Covid-19. I hope this year will get a bit easier and it will be a transition to a far better 2022.

For the last month, I have been in Spain and have played three W15 tournaments in Manacor at the Rafa Nadal Academy and then one in the city of Villena.

The facilities in Manacor were really nice but I struggled quite a bit on court with the wind, as I think a lot of players did, and some days it was almost impossible to play.

But it was completely different in Villena and all the time that I was there it was sunny and warm. I really liked Villena and, while there, I got to eat some tasty fruits.

I couldn’t say that I was happy with my results in Manacor: I reached the second round of two tournaments and lost in the first round of the other.

To be honest, I didn’t feel the courts suited my game as they were slow and I just couldn’t find the feeling. That was not the case in Villena as the courts were a little faster and I was on my game instantly.

I reached the semi-finals where I lost to Russia’s Ekaterina Yashina. During this match I felt more tired than usual and, despite fighting the fatigue, I eventually lost.

But win or lose, competition is the best part of tennis and it is there that you show what you are made of. Of course, the nature of competition means there can only be one winner and it’s very disappointing to lose.

After a match-win, you feel satisfied and happy but you know it’s not the end of the tournament. From there, it’s a case of doing some stretching and working on the bike before resting and preparing for either the next day or the next match.

You can only fully relax if you win a tournament, but even then – as I found out after winning my first professional title in November – there will be another tournament in the next week at which you have to show your best tennis all over again.

Whenever I lose, regardless of whether it is the first round or a final, I feel really sad. I always ask myself, ‘what did I do wrong in the match, where was the point where I lost my opportunity to take over, what did I lack?’

But I don’t feel sad for too long, it’s usually just a momentary emotion that I get over by focusing on what I need to do better next time and that’s what I did after defeat to Ekaterina.

Looking back at the Villena tournament, I think four events back-to-back was tough going and I found it difficult mentally but, overall, I was satisfied with where my game was and the form that I showed. 

That said, there are still some aspects I need to work on, like improving my serve and making my first two shots more aggressive. Fitness also is still a priority and I must work a lot to build a stronger body.

After so many tournaments in quick succession, I also have to work more than usual with a basket as I need to clean some shots and of course work on technique, so that is what is in store in the coming days.

In terms of upcoming tournaments, I’m not 100 per cent sure what my schedule for the next month will look like, but this week I am entering qualification for W25 Moscow.

Whatever my playing commitments over the next few weeks and months, it is a very busy period because I am currently balancing professional tennis with my final year of school and exams. It’s not easy but I still expect the best from myself in every part of life.

At least the pandemic, with everything being closed and people not being able to go anywhere, is allowing me to concentrate fully on my schoolwork and tennis.

Life has become really boring due to Covid, so much so that I’m even tired of TikTok. I used to post lots of videos, but not so many these days. I think we are all ready for a little more normality in all areas of our life. Fingers crossed!