Last year, Sebastian Ofner caused a sensation with his run into the round of 16 at the French Open. The 28-year-old Styrian has now reached the top 50.
On Sunday (4th match after 11:00 a.m./live ServusTV and in the LIVE ticker >>>) he will start in Paris for the third time in the main draw of Roland Garros against the Frenchman Terence Atmane (ATP-120th). Ofner is the favorite as number 45 in the ranking.
“99 percent will be for the Frenchman, but that doesn’t bother me that much. I’m more likely to take it as a positive for me,” said Ofner on Saturday after a training session. Looking back on his run from qualifying to the round of 16 against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas hardly plays a role for him a year later.
Motivation problems after the Australian Open
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“Last year was great, but that was over after a week. Now it’s a new tournament again. But I like playing there and I’m looking forward to it.” Wolfgang Thiem’s protégé claimed not to have a goal in mind. “No. I never have one because you never know what will happen. Now I have to win once tomorrow so that I can keep looking forward to it.”
If Ofner prevails, he will face either Sebastian Baez (ARG-20) or qualifier Gustavo Heide (BRA) in the second round.
Ofner admitted that he had a bit of motivation issues after this year’s Australian Open.
“It started on the South American tour. Last year it was a tunnel, there was one new thing after another and never any time to think.” He had that in February and March of this year. He said he lacked “100 percent motivation” for a few weeks.
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2024-05-25 15:44:58
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