LONDON – Health issues continue to complicate Nicolás Jarry ’s career.
The Chilean is still recovering from a severe case of vestibular neuritis, the main reason for his drop in the rankings and poor results in 2025. In recent months, he discovered new vision-related difficulties linked to the condition.
“I’m realising now that the inflammation has really affected how my eyes function. I still get dizzy easily, but the impact on my vision is something new,” Jarry told CLAY in an interview also published in RG Media during the Wimbledon Qualifying.
After the European Grand Slam swing, he will meet with an ocular vestibular specialist to examine the extent of the damage.
He also revealed to CLAY that he has had to focus heavily on his mental work — learning to accept both the physical consequences of the condition and the setback in the rankings.
Despite the adversity, the 2024 Rome Masters1000 finalist and former world No.16 came through qualifying at Roehampton without dropping a set, earning a spot in the main draw of the third Grand Slam of the season. At the All England Club, he’ll face eighth seed Holger Rune in the opening round.
Interview with Nicolás Jarry
– How would you describe your motivation right now? You’re expecting your third child — does that kind of life change affect the way you approach competition?
– My motivation is sky-high, really. After everything that happened last year, it feels like I’m starting fresh. I’m full of energy and focused on doing what I feel is right for me — not what others tell me to do. I’m driven by the belief in what I can still achieve if I truly back myself. Trusting in my abilities is what I need most right now.
– Are you happy with your inner circle?
– Very happy. I feel secure and proud of my team, my family, and everything I have in my life right now. I love feeling that I’m doing things the right way, so I wake up happy every day.
– Vestibular neuritis has clearly been a big issue. How is your health now, and how much is it still affecting your tennis? Would you say it’s the main reason for your current results? You are experiencing a bad moment.
– What do you mean by “bad moment”?
– You’re ranked 144 and have a 6-13 record this year.
– Well, I missed last year. I only have this half-season — just what I’ve played this year. I wasn’t able to compete during the second half of last season. I don’t see it as a bad spell. I lost to Dimitrov twice, to Cerúndolo, to Fils at Roland Garros, and to Opelka last week. I’m not playing badly. I don’t consider it a bad moment.
– How has the ear issue evolved?
– I’m still in recovery. My hearing has been slowly improving, but I’ve noticed it’s affected how my eyes function. So I’m now working on the visual side — understanding how my eyes move, how they work together. I’m exploring ways to train that. I know the vestibular system is linked to vision, perception, and balance. I’ve already been working on the balance part. I still get dizzy easily, but this visual effect is new. After this swing, I’ll be seeing an ocular vestibular specialist to find out exactly what’s going on.
– How are you dealing with that mentally?
– I’ve had to work hard on accepting what this has meant for both my tennis and personal life — the vision issues, the dizziness, the loss of motor control. I’m someone who likes doing things properly and wants to be at the top of the game. Not being there yet is a challenge in itself. I’ve also had to work on accepting my ranking. But there’s been a lot of positives — like learning to appreciate what I do have. I hold on tightly to that, and to the fact that I’m at peace knowing I’m giving everything I’ve got. That’s more important than results.
– Even after working on acceptance, do you feel the rankings don’t reflect your level?
– Yes, more than ever. The top 200 players are playing incredibly well — it’s not like 10 years ago. The level in Challengers is brutal. Everyone hits the ball so well. Experience and maturity are playing a big role now. And injuries are a real issue too. With the one-year ranking system, if you get injured during the part of the year when you did well the previous season, you’re going to drop hard. You just have to fight even harder.
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– Travelling with family is expensive, and a drop in the rankings often means lower-tier events with less prize money. Will that change how you travel with them?
– I’m very lucky to have my wife and children with me when I travel for work. It’s an investment I’ll always make. My family is my top priority, and they help me immensely with the mental challenges every pro tennis player has to manage.
– When your eldest son Juan starts school, will the family stop travelling with you? Or are you considering an alternative form of education?
– That’s something private.
– Your children are experiencing the tour firsthand. How do you explain what you do for a living?
– They’re still too young. Juan is three, and Santiago isn’t even two yet. They don’t understand who I am. I’m just their dad — and that’s all I ever want to be for them.
– They love playing tennis. We saw them running around with their racquets at Wimbledon qualifying.
– Yes, they love it.
– What’s the biggest lesson you want to pass on to them?
– The same as any parent would: to follow their heart, to be brave enough to pursue what they love, and to get to know themselves deeply.
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