Twelve German starters, eleven are out: After Philipp Kohlschreiber’s exit, Alexander Zverev is the only German hope at the Australian Open. Experts explain why the crisis in German tennis is.
Philipp Kohlschreiber had ruthlessly worked through his completely spent day. “It was just complete crap today,” said the veteran after his chanceless performance in the second round of the Australian Open, where he even had the feeling of being on the court with “two left shoes”. And just as ruthlessly, the 38-year-old put his finger in the wound given the weak German performance in Melbourne.
Twelve German tennis professionals started – but only Olympic champion Alexander Zverev is in the third round of the individual competitions. “Of course Sascha is always the ray of hope that rips everything out,” said Kohlschreiber after his 1: 6, 0: 6, 3: 6 against the Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut. But behind Zverev, who is fighting against qualifier Radu Albot (Moldova) for the round of 16 on Friday (not before 6 a.m. CET / Eurosport), it looks bad.
Philipp Kohlschreiber: For the former top 20 tennis player, the second round of the Australian Open is already over. (Source: Hasenkopf/imago images)
“If you look at it realistically, it’s bad for the number of people who play tennis in Germany,” Kohlschreiber complained: “Extremely little follows. You just have to critically question why that’s the case. ” Zverev was the only German in the third round in Melbourne last year.
Worst performance in Australia since 1977
“It’s a bit too little, whether in men’s or women’s tennis,” said Kohlschreiber. The women’s trio around Angelique Kerber had already said goodbye to round one at the Australian Open. It was the worst performance since 1977, when Down Under there were no German players at all.
“From a German point of view, that is of course sad and disappointing, of course,” said Barbara Rittner, head coach for women and young women in the German Tennis Association (DTB), at Eurosport. At least five of nine starters reached the second round among the men.
Whether Kohlschreiber will continue to make his contribution in the coming year is questionable. “I’m 38,” said the Augsburger: “I no longer see myself as having to be there in the next few years.” Against Bautista Agut, who was 15th, he only ran behind and received a swatter in just 1:28 hours. “It couldn’t have gone worse,” said Kohlschreiber.
Zverev conceals the meager German balance sheet
The three German starters Kerber, Andrea Petkovic and Tatjana Maria are already 34 years old. “We have some great talent in the Under-20s,” noted Rittner. But there is a gap in the near future. It is all the more important that Zverev repeatedly conceals the meager German balance sheet. “He gives those behind it space and time to develop,” said Rittner.
After the forced departure of world number one Novak Djokovic, Hamburg is a hot title contender. Nevertheless, Zverev warned of his third round opponent Albot. “He is someone who is in top form,” said the third in the world rankings. In the only meeting so far at the US Open 2019, Albot challenged the top German player over five sets.
“During that time I played five sets against many opponents,” said Zverev with a laugh: “It was one of my favorite topics to play five sets in a perhaps unnecessary way. That’s why I hope I can finish the match well. ” And all of tennis Germany hopes with him.
