In what situation are you going to leave the fronts?

Physically and mentally, I can't complain. In my career I have had few injuries and this year too, I am playing games without problems and the truth is that I am enjoying a lot. This year of retirements is being very successful and I will be able to think about the future later, now I am enjoying the moment.

22 professional years. How and how does the ball evolve?

It's gradually evolved, like all sports and life in general. It is a traditional sport and the rules of the game have hardly changed, but yes the frontons, the material, the training of athletes...

You mentioned the material and balls are often a source of controversy; they have accelerated in recent years. For better or for worse?

Before the ball was black sebum and lasted longer, now they are white balls, machine-made, and they're different, yes, but not for good or bad: sometimes it's going to benefit some and the other way around; the material is going to be on everyone's lips and it's normal because the ball is one of the pillars of the game.

And the environment, has changed a lot?The environment

on the fronts has always been excellent. What I do see is that there are younger people around the ball, both boys and girls. The weekend has spread the habit among the young people of going to see a ball game and one is at ease to the pediment, because I think the ball is the best hobby among all sports.

You’re one of the generation pelotaris that gave more visibility to the manual

game… I’ve always tried to do my best, without losing my way of playing ball and understanding the ball. Since the 1992 Olympics, in which Asegarce was also born, there were changes in the ball in general and it was my turn to be there. The concept of ball changed a little, reinforced the image of professional pelotaris, gave us confidence and echo in the media, and in that context, we debuted some front men who were more likely to fly than to throw. There was a little revolution in all directions.

Does the ball have to be spectacular?

Yes, sport in general has to be spectacular. People, besides wanting to win one or the other, want to have a good time, go for shows. We all like to win, but sport is more than win or lose, and the show is fundamental. If the audience does not enjoy, if the pelotari does not enjoy, the ball is dead.

Do you have to risk to win?

Yes, we must risk it in all areas of life, at specific times. It's the way to understand the ball and do so many, in my case. I have not touched terror and I have searched the veneer and the edges so I can do some. They're played in danger, but that's what we're doing every day training.

What are the most memorable matches?The day of

debut and the day of my retirement will be the most important to me and those I will not forget.

But there are other parties that have remained in the minds of the public. The 1997 Four and Half Final against Retegi II.aren, for example [after winning 21-17, Titin lost the match].

Well, I remember better about 2007, ha, ha [that year, Titan won the Four and Half Finals against Abel Barriola]. They are memorable matches, more than because of the game performed, because of everything they brought and because of the environment that was created. I can't describe what you're living in the finals, but it's amazing, and it's hard to pick one of them.

Yes, a week

before my father died and it was hard days emotionally, I didn't know whether to play or not, but after losing the previous two Four and Half finals, I finally won and I was able to offer my txapela to my father. It was one of the most important days.

You're a controversial character. Last year, after being eliminated in the Championship by Couples, you spoke against the election of balls and denounced the interests of companies.

No one likes to lose and if you think you've been hurt, I think the pelotari has the opportunity and the right to speak. Are we there to play? Yes, but we can also give our opinion, even if it is wrong. We have the right to be outraged and wrong, always with respect and without offending anyone. At that moment, I felt it like this, and I said it like this.

Are ball companies often driven by interests outside of sport?

No, no. Everyone has their own functions. Our job is to train as best as possible and to be as best as possible, to play the game as best as possible. The ball picker has its task, the company has its own... but we can think of some things or others without more.

Are two companies (Aspe and Asegarce) sufficient for the professional of the ball?

As a pelotari, the more companies there are, the better for us. Before, there were more professional pelotaris, but the companies will know how much and for how many there are, there I will not enter.

The concession of pp in Logroño, Antonio Basagoiti, also referred to the candidature of Patxi López. Have you noticed it on the fronts?

No, it was the step I wanted to take, I did it speaking and according to the company, and I have had no problem. It is an experience that I am living with a lot of enthusiasm, and I have to thank the City Council of Logroño and Aspe for the support that I have received over the years. As far as the hobby is concerned, it has the right to give its opinion and criticisms, and at some point they would criticise it, but in general people have not mixed up the two actions, and so it must be. I'd worry about criticizing her for misconduct.

Well, somehow you have opened the stereotype of the pelotaris…

Each one of us has our mentality and our objectives in life, the athlete cannot dedicate himself to sport all his life and if you open the doors that are related to the illusions of each one, it is good to prove it. But I don't do it to break stereotypes; if the pelotari gives everything on the fronton and fulfills its contract, it can do other things.

How do you see the quarry?

I see young people with great odds on both the front and the back. The ball has to follow this path, supporting young people, driving children’s schools… and in professionals there are also high-level young people. I see a hopeful future for the ball and I am convinced that the quarry will be very good.