Dominik Koepfer: "Davis Cup is a bit like college"
For the third time, Dominik Koepfer is part of the German Davis Cup line-up. The 27-year-old left-hander is currently 54th in the ATP world rankings, making him number two in captain Michael Kohlmann's team after Jan-Lennard Struff in the group matches of the Davis Cup Finals 2021 in Innsbruck. Shortly before the opening match against Serbia on Saturday, we spoke to Koepfer - about the atmosphere in the team, his rapid career and his goals for the next season.
by DTB
last edit: Nov 26, 2021, 11:19 am
Dominik, you have just trained with the British Daniel Evans - how did it go?
That was the third hall I have now trained in - the center court in the Olympiahalle, court 1 in a gym and court 2, where it is freezing. These are three slightly different surfaces and conditions that you have to get used to, but it was pretty good.
How do you feel here in Innsbruck?
I was jet lagged for the first few days, but slept very well tonight. Physically I feel good and fit, I am injury-free and have trained very well over the last few days, with a few long units.
Why the jet lag?
I came to Innsbruck from Tampa in Florida via New York. It was a relatively long journey and it is not always easy to adjust to new time zones - but we tennis players are used to that, and this time it worked very well.
This is your third time on the German Davis Cup team - what does that mean for you?
It's a bit like college. You have more pressure, but it's also more fun to play in a team. You don't just play for yourself, you also fight for others, I like that very much, especially because it doesn't happen very often in tennis.
How is the mood in the German team so shortly before the first match?
Very good, we get along great, it's a cool team. The hotel, the food and the team room here in the stadium - all of that are positive. But now we're preparing for the match against Serbia so we can't just have fun.
What are your expectations of the team and yourself?
We want to win twice, no matter how and no matter who plays. We'll see who will ultimately be nominated - all five of us are fit and ready.
You are 27 years old and only really made your way into world class two years ago. Is it actually a dream come true for you to play for the German national team with the eagle on your chest?
Definitely! If someone had predicted that after my college days four years ago that I could play the Olympics for Germany in 2021, that I would be part of the Davis Cup team - I would of course have signed that immediately. I dreamed of it, but actually didn't believe it. Now I'm around 50th in the world rankings, I'm playing the Davis Cup with the guys here, it's really an unbelievable feeling and a great experience.
What are your goals for the next few months?
In the next year I want to move into the top 30 in the world rankings, maybe even into the top 20. If I play some good tournaments in a row, I can. I'm still missing a bit of consistency and except for the top 5 players are all relatively close together, so that of course it won't be easy.
Looking back, what was your personal highlight this year?
There were some good tournaments there - the semi-finals in Acapulco, the French Open with the third round match against Roger Federer, the third round of Wimbledon, the US Open, where I was allowed to play in Arthur Ashe Stadium. I've had some good matches that I won't forget. Then of course the Olympic Games in Tokyo with the special experience of sharing an apartment with six people, playing in unbelievable conditions and 40 degrees of heat. And now at the end of the year, the Davis Cup final is of course another highlight.