SEOUL - He was the first Spaniard to win a PBA Tour event some four years ago, the third European following Filipos Kasidokostas and Frédéric Caudron. The only 31-year-old David Martinez triumphed in his fourth PBA tournament this week in the final against only 30-year-old Japanese Yusuke Mori. David Martinez, number three in the 2023 PBA rankings to follow Javier Palazón and Semih Sayginer with 104 million Korean won in pure prize money, has sensationally blossomed in the Korean professional organization after his early billiards years at UMB. He is the third player in merit on the rankings from the PBA start.
David Martinez, married to Ana Cristina, child of the Spanish billiards school, feels at home in the Korean enclave and quietly and modestly enjoys his status. ''I feel lucky, travel up and down to my country, but we are here many times in a year, as we play the team league between the tournaments.'' The Spaniard spends many hours of his days in Korea at the shop of Gorina, his sponsor, located in Seoul's Gangnam Centre. ’’I feel at home there, it’s very quiet, I can practice there and prepare for tournaments.''
The route he took for his fourth PBA victory was impressive. With enervating final sprints, high averages and the finishing touch against Yusuke Mori 11-0 in the deciding set for a 4-3 win.
The road to victory:
Round 128: Martinez-Jae-hong Lee 3-0 (1.552 average)
Round 64: Martinez-Hyuk-min Kwon 2-2 (win penalties)
Round 32: Martinez-Daj-jin Kim 3-0 (1.731)
Round 16: Martinez-Gyeong-seop Jung (2,069)
Round 8: Martinez-Jae-ho Cho 3-0 (2,368)
Round 4: Martinez-Tae-jun Oh 4-3 (1,950)
Final: Martinez-Yusuke Mori 4-3 (1,864).
Kozoom interviewed David Martinez, modest, happy, friendly, not a man of big statements, a day after his fourth win on the circuit.
Kozoom/Frits Bakker: What a great finish it was for you, David, with two miraculous escapes. How great was the relief when the tension eased off?
David Martinez: I felt very tired because of the emotion in the final and semi-final. Both matches ended in 4-3, I was almost out in the 6th set in the final, but I managed to win it in the end. That gave me the strength for the last set, and of course I also felt very happy with this win.
Kozoom/FB: What did it mean to you to win another event this year after some big guns joined PBA, so the league is getting stronger every time?
David: I'm working hard to develop my game a bit more again, because not only the big new names have come, the Korean players are also getting stronger every year. You have to be strong and focused from the first matches. It means every Pba Tour is very tough, I'm really happy with this win.
Kozoom/FB: Describe how you live there during and between tournaments? Hanging out a lot with the Spanish group of players and friends when you are there? And does it feel good to be with good friends?
David: I try to be here just for the matches, but if I have to stay longer. I am usually around my sponsor Gorina and often meet Spanish friends to train. And not just Spanish players.
Kozoom/FB: Do you ever think: I am one of the top players in the PBA now. Where would I be in the rankings if I was still playing at UMB? Do you need a different strategy to focus on the tournaments than before?
David: I've never thought about things like that. I just try to focus on each match and if there is a UMB event, if I have time, I try to watch it and enjoy it.
Kozoom/FB: Can you tell us about your private life? Do your loved ones visit there often?
David: My wife Ana Cristina normally comes here once or twice a year if I have to stay longer.
David Martinez enjoying life outside billiards with his wife Ana Cristina
David Martinez showing four fingers for his 4 PBA wins
Kozoom/FB: Are you happy with this life? Or is it more your profession far from your homeland, like other people who travel the world?
David: I am lucky being able to live as a professional billiard player. And yes, it is true that it is not close to home, but it gives me a chance to learn more about other cultures.
Kozoom/FB: Can you say how the PBA is developing in general? New stadium, more events, better organizations, higher level?
David: The new stadium is a big step for PBA, it makes organizing within the schedule easier and a lot of people come to watch the Tour and team league now.
Kozoom/FB: What is your life like when there is no tournament? Can you describe your average days?
David: I always try to return home when I have enough time, but I often have to stay here. Depending on the time between tournaments, I stay near my sponsor shop and train in the gym every day. That also depends on whether I am alone or with my wife, with her I train for less time and we travel around a bit to do some sightseeing.
Kozoom/FB: When did your dreams come true, that you could start and build a life as a billiards professional? Do you ever make plans or think about how long you want to stay with the PBA?
David: When I got the chance to be here, that was the time for me to try to become a better player and learn a lot from other players. I can train and play with great players and try to learn from them. Right now, I am not thinking about how long I can stay here. I hope I can remain successful for many more years.
Kozoom/FB: There were some meetings with UMB and PBA this year. Were you and other players under any illusions that solutions were close?
David: I heard about it, but I was under no illusions. I don't think about it.
Kozoom/FB: What would you like to say to the billiard world? Keep fighting to bring us together? Or after this year with another bad experience with the UMB strategy: just leave the PBA alone, we are happy here!!!!
David: I just want to say that I want billiards fans to enjoy watching and playing billiards, either in PBA or UMB.
Kozoom/FB: Finally, what was it like playing that final against Yusuke Mori, a wonderful guy and opponent, who came so far in the PBA for the first time?
David: He has improved a lot since he joined the PBA and really is a very nice guy. Always with a smile on his face. He played great in the finals and has already beaten a lot of strong players this year. That will definitely be followed up.
Thank you David, enjoy your success, thanks for the interview.
David Martinez in trance after his victory
David Martinez with with his good friend Ivan Mayor during the ceremony, who won the price for the best match average
David Martinez with young Japanese Yusuke Mori whom he beat in the final match