Michael Kohlmann is set to make an appearance at the Australian Open 2025 in Melbourne. During a recent interview with tennisnet,the head of Germany’s Davis Cup team expressed optimism about the future of the country’s emerging tennis talents.
by Harald Buchheister
last edited: January 22, 2025, 12:31 p.m
Kohlmann, who transitioned into coaching after retiring from professional tennis, initially joined the German Tennis Federation (DTB) on a freelance basis in 2013.By 2015, he had taken on a permanent role, focusing on youth progress. Among his early protégés were Maximilian Marterer and Kevin krawietz, both of whom have been selected for the upcoming Davis Cup match against Israel, alongside Jan-Lennard Struff, Yannick Hanfmann, and Tim Pütz.
Over the past twelve years, Kohlmann has worked under various leaders, including Patrick Kühnen, Carsten Arriens, Charly Steeb, Niki Pilic, and Boris Becker. each of these mentors left a distinct mark on his coaching beliefs, with Kühnen being the moast influential in shaping his prosperous career as the head of Germany’s men’s tennis team.
Team Dynamics: kohlmann’s Core philosophy
As the Davis Cup captain, Kohlmann emphasizes the importance of assembling a cohesive team where each player understands their role. Unlike team sports like football, tennis requires less rehearsal of processes. “The key is to ensure the team functions seamlessly,” Kohlmann explains.
At the ongoing Australian Open, Sascha Zverev remains the sole German male player advancing into the second week.Alongside him, four professionals—hanfmann, Altmaier, Struff, and Koepfer—and three juniors—McDonald, McKenzie, and Sickenberger—participated in the tournament’s junior singles event. Kohlmann noted that the young players were understandably overwhelmed by their first Grand Slam experience. Currently, they are competing in Futures tournaments in Germany, gaining valuable experience ahead of upcoming domestic events. The focus is on promising talents like Max Schönhaus,Justin Engel,and Diego Dedura Palomero.
“Historically, we’ve placed too much emphasis on individual stars,” Kohlmann admits. His primary goal is to increase the number of German players qualifying for major tournaments. “By nurturing talent from the grassroots level, we can create a ripple effect that elevates the entire sport,” he says. “Change takes time, but we’re on the right track.”
Expanding Germany’s Tennis Infrastructure
Kohlmann believes there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to player development. Each athlete’s journey is unique, requiring tailored strategies. As a notable example, Zverev’s success is partly attributed to a family-centric coaching model, which has also proven effective for other international players. This approach has influenced the coaching setups of two of Germany’s rising juniors, who are mentored by their fathers.
Collaboration with families, academies like the Alexander Waske Tennis University, and continuous coach training are essential components of Kohlmann’s strategy. Additionally, he advocates for expanding Germany’s tournament landscape. with only six Challenger tournaments compared to Italy’s 22, the DTB is incentivizing organizers to host more events, reducing travel burdens for players and fostering a competitive habitat.
Kohlmann draws inspiration from the success stories in France, Spain, and Italy, where young players motivate each other to excel. “When justin Engel wins a Futures title, it inspires others to believe they can achieve the same,” he explains.
Personally, Kohlmann remains committed to his role, driven by the challenge of elevating German tennis. Outside of work, he enjoys introducing his two daughters, aged eight and ten, to the sport, prioritizing their enjoyment over competition. This aligns with the recent success of Eva Lys, who reached the women’s round of 16, highlighting the potential of Germany’s female players. For Kohlmann, being a father comes first when he’s on the court with his daughters.
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