Jason Kubler is being one of the surprises of this Wimbledon 2022. With victories over Daniel Evans or Jack Sock, the Australian is now in the round of 16 of the British Grand Slam. His dizzying evolution in tennis was slowed down by a series of injuries that forced him to undergo up to five operations on his left knee and one on his right, with the fear of not being able to go out on the court to compete again.
“I never thought I could reach the second week”
Although he was advised to leave, Jason struggled to pursue his dreams. The now 99 in the world was forced to limit his calendar to tournaments held on clay, assuming the extra cost of having to compete for Europe. Little by little, Kubler came out of the clay, risking his physical integrity to continue growing as a tennis player, testing himself on hard courts and on grass. Although the results were coming in, not even Jason himself expected to enter the Wimbledon main draw: “I didn’t even book accommodation until after qualifying. Before I started I was happy to take the $10,000. Those were my expectations, those of someone ranked 98th, 99th or 100th in the world. I never thought I could reach the second week.”
The transition from junior to pro has many uncertainties. After coming first in 2010 in the Juniors category, results are expected that may take longer than expected to arrive: “It’s strange because I’ve started to play very good tennis in the last two months. Before it was as if it was in the air. I was doing well, I was injured. This is going to give me confidence and a better opportunity to repeat it in the next Grand Slams.”
about to quit tennis
Without the necessary income to keep up with the circuit, Jason had to save money by training other players: “The closest I came to quitting was when I was training. I hit with some players. I did it for two or three months, when I didn’t have that much money. I enjoy helping other people. Luckily, there were some tournaments in Australia and I did well, which helped me to play the Australian Open.
If I hadn’t done so well then, I doubt I would have continued. I started to earn some money and could be really happy doing this. That was a moment where he could have stopped for good.
Team work
“It has changed my life. After qualifying in Paris I could afford to invest a little more in myself. Now I am with the physiotherapist more often, I have more weeks with my coach. I have not done this by myself. I have to remember that it is a team and that the people around me have helped me get to this position.
I made a promise to myself the last time I had knee surgery. He wanted to enjoy what he did. It has been a career full of ups and downs. Especially since that last operation, I can look back and say that I have enjoyed tennis. Maybe not from how I have played at certain times, but from the trips and the tournaments. Obviously, injuries suck, but I wouldn’t change anything I’ve done.”
glad to step forward
“I wouldn’t say he feels any sweeter for this. It sucks that I’ve had so many trades, but I’ve never seen it as something that’s held me back from getting anything done. So are the things. This is a great moment for me that I hope to repeat. I am not bitter about what happened to me. Perhaps if he had handled situations differently when he was younger, this could have come sooner. I don’t blame my knee for delaying this, there are other things I could have done better. Now I am super happy that something like this has finally happened.”
His rival in the round of 16 at Wimbledon 2022 will be Taylor Fritz, against whom he has never faced on grass. The American is also experiencing one of the best moments of his career, after winning his first Masters 1000 last March in Indian Wells against Rafael Nadal.
