Sensational coaching decision in German tennis: Angelique Kerber’s former coach Dieter Kindlmann will be working with top talent Justin Engel in the future.
The 43-year-old ex-tennis professional will officially expand Engel’s coaching team from March 1st and will then be responsible for the 18-year-old together with Ulf Fischer.
Kindlmann, who ended his active tennis career in 2012 due to the consequences of shoulder surgery, acted as Kerber’s coach from November 2019 to the end of July 2020. He then worked with the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, and previously also with the Russian superstar Maria Sharapova. Most recently he trained the Swiss Dominic Stricker.
“Justin is one of the most interesting and best youth tennis players in the world. I am very happy to be part of the team,” said Kindlmann.
Engel is looking forward to working with the prominent coach. “Before Christmas, we had a week of training at the tennis base in Oberhaching. After that, it was clear to me that it would be a really good fit,” said the Nuremberg native.
Engel is currently number 148 in the world and is considered the most promising talent in men’s tennis in this country.
Tennis: Setback for Justin Engel in the Australian Open qualification
The youngster recently experienced a setback at the Australian Open: In Melbourne he lost to the British George Loffhagen 6:7 (4:7), 6:7 (2:7) in the first round of qualifying.
“My goal is to qualify for a Grand Slam,” Engel had previously said with a view to his tennis year in 2026. However, he had to pay the lesson again against Loffhagen, who was six years older than him.
Engel was already eliminated from the Next Gen Finals, the year-end tournament for the best young professionals, in December after three defeats.
This week Engel is taking part in the Challenger tournament in Quimper, France.
