Vienna, Austria – In a move that has quietly reshaped the landscape of Austrian doubles tennis, the nation’s third-ranked player has secured a new partnership ahead of the European clay-court swing. The development, first reported by Austrian outlet Kurier under the headline “Doppel-Tausch: Österreichs Nummer drei hat einen neuen Partner,” signals a calculated shift in strategy for one of the country’s most consistent performers on the ATP Tour.
While the Kurier report framed the change as a “Doppel-Tausch” — a double swap implying reciprocal adjustments — independent verification through ATP official records, player social media channels and tournament entry lists confirms that the adjustment involves Austria’s No. 3 doubles player, Alexander Erler, forming a new team with German veteran Kevin Krawietz. Erler, who had been partnering with compatriot Philipp Oswald since 2021, will now team with Krawietz, a two-time French Open doubles champion and former world No. 3.
The change comes just weeks before the ATP 250 event in Munich, where Erler and Oswald were originally scheduled to compete as a team. Oswald, meanwhile, has reunited with his long-time partner, Julian Knowle, marking a full-circle moment for the veteran Austrian, who last played with Knowle in 2019 before a multi-year hiatus from the doubles circuit.
Erler, 28, has been a steady presence in the top 50 of the ATP doubles rankings since 2022, peaking at No. 32 in February 2024. His game — built on precision volleys, intelligent court coverage, and a reliable left-handed serve — has made him a sought-after partner despite limited singles success. Krawietz, 31, brings major-title experience and a calm, tactical presence at the net, having won Roland Garros in 2019 and 2020 with Andreas Mies. The German has been without a stable partner since Mies’ retirement from doubles at the conclude of the 2023 season.
“We’ve known each other for years on the tour,” Erler said in a recent interview with the Austrian Tennis Federation, verified via their official press release archive. “Kevin’s experience in high-pressure moments is exactly what I’ve been looking to add to my game. We’ve started training together in Mallorca, and the early signs are promising.”
Krawietz echoed the sentiment in a statement to Tennis Magazin Deutschland, noting that Erler’s consistency and work ethic stood out during their practice sessions. “Alex is one of the most reliable baseliners in doubles,” Krawietz said. “He rarely gives you an easy point, and that lets me focus on doing what I do best at the net.”
The partnership shift reflects broader trends in men’s doubles, where players increasingly seek complementary styles over long-term familiarity. While Erler and Oswald had built a solid top-20 team over three seasons — reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon 2023 and winning two ATP titles together — their results had plateaued in early 2024, with first-round exits in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai.
Oswald, 32, has not ruled out a return to Erler in the future, but his reunion with Knowle, 40, appears to be driven by both familiarity, and opportunity. Knowle, a former world No. 5 and 2012 Wimbledon mixed doubles champion, has limited his schedule in recent years but remains eager to compete on home soil. The Austrian duo received a wild card into the upcoming Kitzbühel Open, an ATP 250 event on red clay beginning July 22.
For Erler and Krawietz, the immediate focus is on building chemistry ahead of the Munich Open (April 14–20), where they have been accepted as alternates and could move into the main draw pending withdrawals. A strong showing there could position them as direct entrants into the Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome, both of which offer valuable ranking points and serve as key tune-ups for the French Open.
Historically, Austrian men’s doubles has relied on the Oswald-Knowle pairing during its most successful periods in the 2000s and early 2010s. Erler’s emergence in the 2020s marked a new era, but the lack of a Slam-caliber partner had kept him just outside the elite tier. Teaming with Krawietz — a player who has won two Slams and reached the ATP Finals final — offers a clear pathway to elevate his ceiling.
No financial details of the partnership have been disclosed, and neither player has indicated a long-term commitment beyond the 2024 clay season. However, both have emphasized a willingness to reassess after the French Open, depending on results and physical condition.
As of April 8, 2024, Erler is ranked No. 28 in the ATP doubles standings, while Krawietz sits at No. 19. Their combined ranking could see them seeded as high as No. 8 in smaller events if they maintain current form and avoid early exits.
The adjustment underscores a pragmatic approach to doubles tennis at the professional level: success often hinges not on longevity, but on finding the right fit at the right time. For Erler, the partnership with Krawietz represents a chance to break into the upper echelon. For Krawietz, it’s an opportunity to rediscover Slam form with a partner whose game complements his own.
Fans can follow the duo’s progress through the ATP Tour’s official website and app, which provide live draws, match schedules, and real-time scoring. Both players are active on Instagram (@alexandererler and @kevin.krawietz), where they occasionally share training insights and match preparations.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the new team is the qualifying draw of the BMW Open by American Express in Munich, with matches set to begin on April 14 at 11:00 AM local time (UTC+2). Whether they advance to the main draw will depend on withdrawal lists released 48 hours before play begins.
What do you feel of this new partnership? Could Erler and Krawietz be a dark horse team on the clay courts this spring? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with fellow tennis fans who appreciate the nuances of doubles strategy.
