Carlos Taberner keeps climbing—without the pressure

At 27 years old, Carlos Taberner is enjoying the most successful season of his career, marked by a career-high ATP ranking of No. 84 and a breakthrough final appearance on tour in Umag.

Yet, in typical Taberner fashion, the quietly determined Spaniard takes it all in stride.

Born and raised in Valencia, Spain, Taberner has long been a familiar name on the ATP Challenger Tour, where he owns nine career titles, including two in 2025, on home soil in Murcia and Sassuolo, Italy. His recent run to the final of the Plava Laguna Croatian Open in July, where he finished runner-up to Luciano Darderi, marked a major step onto the ATP Tour stage.

“It’s been a good season,” he says modestly. “I won two Challenger titles and had some strong results. I just want to be ready for the second half of the year.”

Despite his current Top 100 status, Taberner remains grounded, a mindset that serves him well in the ultra-competitive world of Challenger tennis.

“Being seeded doesn’t matter much to me,” he explains, reflecting on being the top seed at the Emilia-Romagna Tennis Cup in Sassuolo in June this year. “Everyone at this level can win. Matches are 50-50. The competition has really grown. A guy ranked 200 can lose to someone ranked 400. It happens every week.”

Rooted in Valencia, at Home on Clay

Taberner’s game is built around consistency, grit and a clay-court skillset reminiscent of his childhood idol, David Ferrer. It’s no coincidence his favourite surface is clay, and his weapon of choice is the forehand. But ask him what gives him the edge, and he doesn’t talk about technique.

“My biggest strength is my mental game and heart,” he says without hesitation.

A proud Valencian, Taberner continues to live and train in his hometown, where he works with the Gtennis Academy, an elite setup packed with Spanish talent.

“I’ve never lived anywhere else,” he says. “Valencia isn’t as big as Madrid or Barcelona, but the weather and food are amazing, and everything is close. I feel lucky to practice here.”

Adopted by Italy and Germany

In addition to his success on tour, Taberner is a veteran of European league tennis. He has spent several summers competing in Italy, where he learned the language while playing for teams like Palermo and Casale Monferrato.

“I try to speak Italian,” he says. “I like the country, the culture and the people. When I played league matches in Italy, I was the only Spaniard on the team, so I wanted to fit in.”

Taberner also holds a special place in his heart for the German Tennis Channel Bundesliga, where he’s represented Kurhaus Aachen since 2019.

“The Bundesliga is the best-organized club competition in Europe,” he says. “The club, the people, everything is amazing. I really feel at home there.”

Life Beyond the Court

Away from competition, Taberner keeps things balanced. He enjoys spending time with friends and fellow Spanish players on tour, often dining with David Vega, Oriol Roca, Inigo Cervantes and Alejandro Moro.

Conversation topics range from politics to pop culture.

“I don’t watch many series,” he says, “but I liked Money Heist. My favorite movie is El secreto de sus ojos, from Argentina.”

And like many Spaniards, Taberner is a devoted football fan. His team of choice? UD Levante, newly promoted back to La Liga.

“I love football,” he says with a smile. “I watched the deciding game at home in Valencia with a friend, and the next day we went to the city center to celebrate. I stayed out until 1 a.m. It was incredible.”

Looking Ahead Without Pressure

As Taberner looks to the remainder of the 2025 season, his goals remain simple: keep improving, stay healthy, and enjoy the ride.

“I don’t think too much about rankings,” he says. “That would only add pressure. I just focus on giving my best in every match.”