👦 Juan Martín Olaya | Tennis Papers interview, August 2025

“My dream is to become a professional player and compete to win Grand Slams.”

Meet Juan Martín Olaya, an exceptionally talented and ambitious young Colombian tennis player who has been steadily making a remarkable name for himself within the competitive junior tennis circuit. He currently lives and trains in the vibrant and culturally rich city of Cali, Colombia, where he dedicates countless hours to rigorous practice and regularly competes in a wide range of local tournaments. Juan Martín’s unwavering dedication, strong work ethic, and deep passion for the sport have earned him well-deserved recognition as one of the most promising junior athletes proudly representing Colombia on the tennis stage.

📘 Juan Martín Olaya | Biography, August 2025

🏠 Cali, Colombia

Cali, a city in Colombia’s Valle del Cauca, lies southwest of Bogotá. It’s famous for salsa dancing, especially in Juanchito’s clubs. In Cali’s oldest area, the neoclassical San Pedro Cathedral features Quito School paintings. Close by is the 18th- and 19th-century San Francisco Religious Complex. La Merced Chapel hosted the first mass after Cali’s founding in 1536.

🎙️Juan Martín Olaya | Interview, August 2025

Hello, introduce yourself please.
My name is Juan Martín Olaya, I am proudly a Colombian tennis player, 10 years old. I was born in Cali, Colombia, and my first time on a tennis court was when I was only 18 months old, starting with coordination exercises through red ball tennis and oversized plastic balls (what in Colombia we call tenis rodado).

At what age did you start playing tennis?
I officially started competing at the age of 8.

Are there other tennis players in your family?
Tennis is a very important part of my family’s life. My father is a passionate fan and player, my cousins are national athletes now competing in the USA, my sister is just beginning her first steps in competition, and my mom loves being on the court with us.

In which club do you train tennis?
My official club is Club Campestre Farallones Cali.

Who is your tennis coach?
Throughout my journey, I have been fortunate to train with different coaches who have helped shape me as an athlete, including inmi Carlos Quiñónez and Jorge Arce. Each of them contributed to my growth, both on and off the court.
Nowadays, I am part of the Liga Vallecaucana de Tenis, where I train under coaches Julián Agudelo, Michael Lemos, and Felipe Rubiano, with the guidance of Director Jorge Mora.

How many hours a week do you train tennis and do physical training?
Currently, I train 16 hours of tennis per week plus 5 hours of physical conditioning.

What is your junior tennis category and your national tennis ranking?
I compete in the 12 & Under category.
My national ranking is #60, and I am ranked #7 in my region.

What are your best tennis performances?
In 2025, I have already participated in 7 tournaments, reaching the final rounds in all of them.

In which countries have you already participated in tennis tournaments?
I have competed in Colombia, the USA, and Mexico, and in the next two years, I hope to keep traveling and discovering new countries through the COSAT tournaments, if God allows me.

Do you have any sponsors?
Right now, my biggest sponsors are my parents, who support me in every possible way — mentally, emotionally, and always being there for me.
One day, I would love to have an official sponsor who can help me achieve all my goals and continue growing in this sport.

What tennis racket do you play with?
I currently play with Yonex EZONE, I love their technology, and all my gear is Yonex.

What is your tennis dream?
Tennis is my passion, and my dream is to become a professional player and compete to win Grand Slams.
My favorite tournaments are Roland Garros, the Madrid Open, and Wimbledon.

Who are your favorite tennis players?
My favorite players are Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, because of their passion and fighting spirit.
I also admired Nick Kyrgios, but it is a shame that his talent faded away.
Another player I look up to is João Fonseca, who inspires me with his energy and potential.

What do you like to do outside of tennis?
Outside of tennis, I enjoy watching matches, playing chess, and ping pong. Most of all, I love spending time with my family, who are my greatest support every single day.

Finally, I want to say thank you to the tennis community and media outlets, such as Tennis Papers, for discovering and giving visibility to young athletes around the world. Hopefully, this can inspire more potential sponsors to believe in us, and bring opportunities such as international invitations and support to keep chasing our dreams.

Thanks a lot Juan!
Tennis Papers wishes you the best in your tennis life 💜🩷

🎾 Juan Martín Olaya | Tennis playing, August 2025

💪 Juan Martín Olaya | Physical training, August 2025