Tearful Nicolas Jarry recognizes struggles persist amid vestibular neuritis battle: “I can’t see the ball and I lose balance”
ATP
Nicolás
Jarry continues his drama after the first-round defeat at the Olympic Games.
The Chilean had the best performance of his career during the clay swing at the
Masters 1000 Rome Open, where he unexpectedly reached the final but ended up
losing to Alexander Zverev.
The
28-year-old player seemed ready to take a step forward, but since then, he has
only had bad news, as it was revealed that he suffers from vestibular
neuritis, a disorder that causes severe vertigo crises due to inflammation of
the vestibular nerve, which is key for balance control.
Health struggles continue for Jarry
Not in good
physical condition, Jarry made the effort to participate in the French Open and
Wimbledon, but in both, he suffered first-round defeats, to Corentin Moutet and
Denis Shapovalov respectively. Nevertheless, he traveled to Paris 2024, and
last-minute withdrawals allowed him to be the 16th seed. However, his
privileged position was again of no help, and he recorded his fourth
consecutive defeat, this time to Australian Alexei Popyrin.
The Chilean
answered some questions from Clay Tennis at Roland Garros after the
disappointing defeat. Jarry arrived as his country's flag bearer, and tears
welled up in his eyes for several seconds: “It’s a tremendous experience to be
here, at the Olympic Games… and losing in the first round, not being well
(health-wise), is tough… I know I will come out stronger from this,” he
commented through tears.
“I can’t
see the ball, I lose balance on counterattacks. I see the ball faster and can’t
focus on it well,” added the ‘Tower of Santiago’. “The ear is at 55% of its
functions. The brain is doing its job to compensate and create stimuli to
adapt. There, I’m at 80%. There’s a bit left to recover; I’m getting closer to
my 100%,” revealed the current world number 24.
Nico Jarry at Rome Open final.
However,
the Chilean tried to make the best of his experience after leading Team Chile
at the start of the Olympics. “It has been entertaining to compare disciplines
in terms of how each one prepares for their respective challenges. I realized
that we are all very different, and I was lucky to carry the flag, which will
be something unforgettable. There are positive things, and I am working to
focus on them.”
Read also
There is
still a challenge for Jarry in Paris, as he will team up with Alejandro Tabilo
in doubles. The left-hander was another first-round disappointment, like Jarry,
taking a last-minute seeded spot, but also fell in his debut against Roman
Safiulin.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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