TAUSTE, August 8, 2025
At just 20 years old, Pavel Lagutin has already taken an extraordinary journey, one that has carried him from the frozen expanses of Siberia to the sun-drenched courts of Mallorca, and now to his first-ever final on the ITF World Tennis Tour.
On Friday evening, the World No. 1511 booked his spot in the championship match of the Open Villa de Tauste “Tomás Arrieta & Altra Logística” in Aragón, Spain, defeating Mario Gonzalez Fernandez 7-6(7), 6-3. It’s a breakthrough moment for the young Russian, who not long ago thought his professional tennis career might be over.
A Tournament Like No Other
Lagutin speaks warmly about the unique atmosphere in Tauste. “This has been the best organized tournament I have ever been to,” he says. With daytime temperatures soaring above 35°C, all matches are scheduled in the cooler evening hours, under the lights and in front of an enthusiastic local crowd. “Here they care about the players,” he adds. “We live with local families and they treat us like part of their own family.”
The picturesque setting is a far cry from some of his past experiences on tour. In other Spanish events, he recalls having to play in brutal midday heat, once even suffering a heat stroke. The small Aragonese town, home to just 7,000 residents, may be remote and tricky to reach, but Lagutin says the warmth of its people more than makes up for the journey.
A Journey Across Continents
Lagutin’s tennis odyssey began in the harsh north of Russia, where he was born in Siberia. He picked up a racket at just four years old, showing early promise. At nine, he moved to Moscow, but soon his path took him abroad – first to Spain for training, then to Mallorca at the age of 12, where he joined the renowned Global Tennis Team run by coach Jofre Porta.
But his trajectory hit a major bump at 18, his final year as a junior. A series of injuries left him struggling both physically and mentally. “Last year, I actually quit professional tennis,” he admits. He gave lessons to keep connected to the sport and began studying tourism at a university in Mallorca.
Then came the turnaround. In December, he decided to give competitive tennis another shot. “I wasn’t thinking I’d be in a semi-final of a 25K six or seven months later,” Lagutin says, still sounding a little amazed. Training at Unity Tennis Academy, surrounded by a strong tennis culture in Mallorca, he has rebuilt his game as well as his belief.
On And Off Court
With his international upbringing, Lagutin is a man of many languages. On court, he thinks in Spanish, thanks to eight years living and competing there. When speaking with his family, it’s Russian.
He describes his playing style in three words: energetic, positive, fighter. His aim? To make life as uncomfortable as possible for opponents. Off court, his passions include the beach, spending time with friends, cooking Italian dishes, and following football, in particulal the games of the FC Barcelona.
Finding His Path
Financial realities for lower-ranked players have also shaped his journey. Without sponsors, Lagutin supplemented ITF Pro Circuit events with UTR tournaments, which offer higher guaranteed earnings even for early exits. He’s even had offers from U.S. colleges, a path many of his friends have taken, but he’s committed to pursuing a professional career in Spain.
Now, with his first final just hours away, Lagutin is relishing the moment. “The season has been incredible for me,” he says. For a player who once stepped away from the sport, every match feels like a second chance, and he’s making the most of it.
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