Dear friends,

I thought I’d write an end-of-year letter. As you know, I’ve tried to share with you a few words about my experience from a few tournaments. But for today, I decided to talk a bit about the people in my life because I want to thank them for being there.

2018 was an intense year, with many ups and downs, but it was my best year in terms of competition. I’ve made some changes in my team and have started some older collaborations.

I want to thank Andrei Mlendea for the two and a half years of collaboration, during which I progressed from #220 in the ATP rankings to #74. He brought key people to my team, people that helped me grow, such as Ioan Popoviciu, the man I've been working with since I reached #160 ATP till #80. We stopped the collaboration after that, but we started to work together again just before Basel. Andrei Mlendea also introduced me the physical training and physical therapy coach, Lucian Nicolescu Seusan, in July. Things changed a lot since then and it’s now starting to show. Me and Andrei will always have a very close friendship, because we know each other since we were kids and we have been together for better or worse.

Now I have a great team and everybody is doing their job well. And I would like to mention:

Lucian Nicolescu (physical training physiotherapist) that makes my body more flexible, gives me more strength and, at the same time, heals my body.

Andrei Pavel (tennis coach), who helps me improve my kicks and my tactical game. I grow a lot with every training and I'm glad we work together because I’ve liked his game play since I was a child and I can say I can find myself in him.

Ioan Popoviciu (mental coach), the man who plays with my mind. As I mentioned above, we started to work again just before Basel. We did it in the past and we've progressed nicely together.

I'm glad that besides the people I have in my team, there are also some extraordinary people in my life. My dear Ramona Iacob who unconditionally supports me and helps me a lot. Cosmin Hodor is like a big brother to me and he's taking care of everything I do. Adrian Szabo who put the tennis racket in my hand and advise me on tennis. Florin Iorgoni, a real friend who I talk to every day and helps me get over any obstacle even if he's far away and we can’t see each other in person. Catalin Gudynn who keeps me happy all the time through his positivity.

Least but not last, I want to thank YOU, the people who support me no matter the results and read everything that I write.

I wish you all an amazing 2019.

With love,
Marius