Interview with the French Open Junior Winner – Between Djokovic and Nadal: A young Swiss among the stars

What was your highlight on Toisonfinal?

It was just really cool. Among other things, I was able to play several times with Thiem, Tsitsipas and Rublew, who were happy to train with a left-hander before the games against Nadal. I will never forget that. To experience how they spend such a tournament week, how they train and behave will help me in the near future.

What particularly impressed you?

I was amazed that the day before a match they train as intensely as usual. And also the warm-up … For the juniors this is a kind of feel-good factor, for them like normal training. I will now try that too.

How saw Iyour everyday life?

The evening before we received the plan for the next day. We were three juniors, Luciano Darderi, Arthur Fery and me. They also told us to keep ourselves available in case someone needs someone to break in. We were often in the hall for many hours, training for two to four hours and then watching the evening game.

Has there been any feedback from the stars?

In each case there was no big talk. Everyone was in an important tournament week and focused on themselves. But it’s good feedback if they want you as a sparring partner again the next day. We had been asked to avoid taking selfies, autographs and so on if possible. Only after training did the players loosen up. Djokovic, for example, repeatedly played Uno in between.

Were you happy with how you kept up?

Actually a lot. At the beginning I was a bit surprised by the pace, but in the first practice session I was run over by Tsitsipas. But then it got better and better, and now this pace is almost normal for me.

Got new ones Findings?

Some. For example, how extremely they attack short balls. Or how they try to play the game from the baseline. It’s ten times more difficult against such players than against juniors. There are quite a few there who play much more defensively.

Welcher player impressede you the strongest?

Each with something different. Thiem with his heavy balls, Rublew with his fast forehand, Tsitsipas with his serve. How good it really is surprised me. All of them are incredible players and with great intensity.

As it was the Atmosphere in the huge Halle? Did you enjoy London a little?

Nothing was going on in the O2 arena. Only the coaches, players and hitting partners were allowed in. It was always as quiet as a mouse. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed into town. We live in the player hotel just a minute’s drive from the hall. But even this way we couldn’t walk. We didn’t get the last of the fresh air that we could have had either.

Have you received financial compensation??

There was no salary, but they paid most of the costs. Actually, I would have played a tournament in Greece this week. But these two weeks in London gave me invaluable insights and incredible impressions.

What do you think now: They only cook with water – or do they play in their own world?

A bit of both. It’s been an extremely long way to get to this level. But you can also see that you can keep up in training. In any case, I’m going back to Biel with new motivation. I still play the Swiss championship there, after that the tennis year is over for me too.