ATP Challenger Heilbronn: Japan fan Philipp Kohlschreiber wants to go to the Olympics
Philipp Kohlschreiber was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the ATP Challenger tournament in Heilbronn. The German Davis Cup player has not yet given up his dream of playing at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer.
by Florian Heer
last edit: May 14, 2021, 08:26 pm
Philipp Kohlschreiber was eliminated in the quarter-finals at this year's NECKARCUP in Heilbronn. The 37-year-old German lost to number 4 seeded Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan on Thursday afternoon after a tough fight with 6-2, 2: 6, 6: 7 (4).
Kohlschreiber leaves the ATP Challenger event, endowed with 88,520 euros, which has received the award as the world's best tournament in its category in the past three years, with mixed feelings. On the one hand, the current number 121 in the ATP world rankings reached the round of the last eight for the first time since his Challenger success in Bendigo, Australia last year, on the other hand, the elimination is a setback in the fight for a possible ticket for the Olympics evaluate.
Last chance for an Olympic ticket
When asked about the sporting highlight of the year in Tokyo, Kohlschreiber assured him during the week: “The Olympics are an issue. It will be my last chance to compete again. That's why I would like to see it. A lot can happen before then, "said the veteran from Augsburg, adding:" Rio vaccinated me. That was a great experience. "
A maximum of four German men are allowed to compete in Japan. Kohlschreiber is number five in the country after Alexander Zverev, Jan-Lennard Struff, Dominik Koepfer and Yannick Hanfmann. The nomination takes place strictly according to world ranking position.
So what does it take so that in the end you can still participate? “I have to measure myself against Yannick Hanfmann. We are in direct competition, ”said Kohlschreiber, who did not benefit from the break in competition caused by the pandemic. The former number 16 in the world also suffered from a hip injury.
“Last year I was easily qualified. Now there are new rules. That is unfortunate and a shame. I couldn't play for half a year. The system makes it pretty difficult to get back up. Now you have to win two tournaments in a row. A quarter-final at the French Open would probably be enough, ”speculated Kohlschreiber in Heilbronn.
Japan fan Kohlschreiber
The venue is also a special incentive for the Bavarian Swabian. "I'm a fan of Japan," says Kohlschreiber on the record. The cuisine and the tradition that is lived inspire him in particular. “It's a clean country with friendly people. You see police officers without weapons. Sure, there is also a lot of toil there, but the quality of life seems to be very high. "
After leaving the NECKARCUP, Kohlschreiber has to hope for good results in the next two weeks. In the further course of the season also on one or the other wild card at the German tournaments in Stuttgart, Halle and Hamburg. “With my Protected Ranking I can start in the main draw at Wimbledon and at the US Open. The schedule is in place, ”says Kohlschreiber.