ATP Challenger Ismaning: Max Rehberg leaves Hans as a lucky charm
Max Rehberg is playing for the final at the Challenger tournament in Munich today - but what's up with his good form and his middle name in general?
by Florian Heer
last edit: Oct 15, 2022, 09:16 am
Allow me, Rehberg. Max Hans Rehberg. No, not a secret agent in Her Majesty's service, but the second best-ranked teenager in German men's tennis after Marko Topo. The 19-year-old from Munich does not have a license to kill either, but has been showing off his impressive weapons on the tennis court these weeks.
Rehberg is on a run. On his favorite surface, the carpet, number 596 in the ATP world rankings won his first title in professional men's tennis at the ITF World Tennis Tour event in Forbach, France two weeks ago. A milestone. The Bavarian cruised through the 15,000 US dollar tournament in Lorraine without losing a set and with a commanding 6: 4, 6: 2 win over Argentinian Federico Agustin Gomez in the final.
In front of a home audience in Ismaning
Rehberg is currently at the Wolffkran Open in Ismaning, not far from his training base at the TennisBase in Oberhaching. The local hero is now continuing his winning streak in the world's only ATP Challenger tournament to be held on carpet. After successes over the number two seeded Czech Tomas Machac, the Dutch veteran Robin Haase and the German qualifier Elmar Ejupovic, Rehberg is in the semi-finals for the first time at this level of professional tennis.
"I haven't had the feeling of not losing a match in a week for two years," Rehberg reflects on his triumph in Forbach. “It was relaxing to drive home with the trophy. Of course, that also gives you self-confidence.”
Carpet dancer Rehberg
The fast underground came and still comes in handy for the young star. “I can just react quickly. I really like my flat game and short rallies. I've also been used to the surface since childhood. It all comes together,” Rehberg analyzes the very good results on the carpet, which has now become rare in professional tennis. There is only one difference between Forbach and Ismaning in terms of the surface. "In France the carpet was blue, here it's red," jokes a cheerful Rehberg, who likes to listen to German and US-American rap before his matches to get the right focus on the encounter.
In general, concentration is a key to the recent successes. "The hard work over the last few years is paying off," states Rehberg. "I'm proud of myself and my team. Over the past few months, things have gotten better and better. The belief in being able to beat strong players is there now. I'm calmer on the pitch and I don't have any negative thoughts. This is extremely important against such strong players.”
Max Hans or Max?
But what's the deal with those two first names? "Max Hans" is always mentioned on each of the official tournament grids of the ATP. After all, the British secret agent only had a first name. "The middle name, Hans, is actually only in the passport and is not used by anyone," says Rehberg and explains. “However, my mother used to enter my full name, Max Hans Rehberg, at Tennis Europe and this is haunting me now. But I can handle it."
Rehberg has no ambitions to make a change to the ATP. But on the contrary. First names should serve as lucky charms. "I'll leave it at that now. After all, things have gone really well so far.”