Tennis: Jule Niemeier wants to be number 1! “Winning Grand Slams is my goal” | Sports

Quarterfinals in Wimbledon, round of 16 at the US Open: Jule Niemeier (23) is on his way to the top of the world. The budding tennis star from Dortmund will soon replace Tatjana Maria (35) as the German number one.

BILD am SONNTAG: To be Germany’s best – what would that mean to you?

Jule Niemeier: Sure, I’d be happy about it, but it’s not like it means that much to me. That doesn’t change anything about my situation.

So you don’t care about the world rankings, where you’re constantly climbing?

Not before, now I see tennis as a game, then the rest will come by itself. And that works really well.

Is it more important for you to win a Grand Slam tournament or to become number one in the world?

(smiles) Winning a major is a goal for every pro, so mine is too. The last two majors have also shown that I can keep up on this level. But the question itself is difficult to answer. The Olympics still exist. If I ever get there, it will also be something special to play for Germany. To get gold there or at least a medal would be something really big.

Are you on your roadmap or have you overperformed this year?

The top 100 was the goal. Now I’m around number 70. But nobody expected that everything happened so quickly. But I’m happy to take that with me.

What surprised you the most?

I think actually with Wimbledon. It was always a dream to play there. A year ago I had match points and lost the qualifiers, now suddenly I was in the quarterfinals. This is extreme and surprising as I had little experience on grass.

You are the only one who is currently breaking into the phalanx of German players over 30. How do you see German women’s tennis set up?

You just have to give the younger generation time. Germany ticks differently. That’s when you finish school and start professional training later. You can’t expect things to be like they are in America or France, also in the financial area. Doing your Abitur and training at the same time, that’s just not possible. Tennis needs more support, including financially, to make all of this possible. Traveling early with a trainer and physio is important. But I’m positive that players will follow.

The last 23 Grand Slam tournaments saw 15 different winners. It feels like 40 women can win a major. They also?

I’ll let that come to me. You can’t plan that anyway. But of course that is a long-term goal. The last two Grand Slams have given me a positive feeling that there is an opportunity to play for the title. It feels like anyone can beat anyone when it comes to women.

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Is this the strength or weakness of women’s tennis?

I believe it’s not a weakness. For men, there were the big three (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic; ed.), who dominated extremely. It was boring in a way because you always knew one of them would win. I find it interesting and exciting with the women because you have to give 100 percent in every match and because you don’t know what to expect – no matter where your opponent is in the world rankings.

Did you ever think about winning a Grand Slam tournament a year ago?

In any case, the belief has become stronger in the meantime. A year ago I never got into the peloton. It was my first time at Wimbledon and I won the first four matches. That increases self-confidence. A year ago it was a dream, now you can feel that it can come true.

So you think you can win a Grand Slam title, anytime?

Yes. (Pause) Will that be the headline now?

Let’s see what else you have to tell.

(laughs) It would be a shame if you didn’t believe in it. I think every top player believes in that. That’s why you play and want to be in the top four tournaments. So there’s nothing wrong with saying that.

Were you afraid that Wimbledon would remain a flash in the pan?

Absolutely not afraid, but it was extremely important to me that I could confirm that in New York. For showing myself that I have the level. It was a good feeling that I was able to do that.

They almost beat number one, Iga Swiatek.

But only almost. It took me a few days for the annoyance to go away. Played one and a half sets really well and then lost, that was bitter. But now I see the many positive things.

How angry are you?

Depending on the defeat. I flew to my family in New York, but then I don’t talk much and need my rest. I’m not the type to smash things or get drunk.

Do you always have a lucky charm with you?

Not that one. But since the summer of last year, a notebook. That’s where I write things about my matches: tactics, technique, etc. But nothing private.