Double class on the second chance of education
When looking at the current doubles world rankings, it is noticeable that out of the six highest-ranked German professionals, a total of five players chose to go to US college - more than just a trend?
by Dietmar Kaspar
last edit: Apr 07, 2023, 10:23 pm
College tennis was first noticed in Germany when Alexander Waske, who moved to the USA in 1997, rose to the top on the professional tour after completing his training. Although the now 48-year-old Hesse, who is moving from the Hessian Tennis Association in Offenbach to Hochheim with his academy and will take over the sporting management of the Boris Becker Tennis Academy, made it into the top 100 in singles, he won all of his four titles on the ATP -Tour in doubles and made it there up to 16th place in the ranking.
Krawietz relies on partners with college experience
As the saying goes - exceptions prove the rule. Only Kevin Krawietz, currently in 17th position, did not choose to cross the pond. The 31-year-old from Coburg made it to 8th place in the ranking during his successful junior years and already set his highlight with the doubles title in Wimbledon alongside Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert, which was his way to the two trophies in the men's in Roland Garros seemed already predetermined. His congenial partner in the two triumphs in Paris, Andreas Mies from Cologne, who was a year his senior, first completed his studies at Auburn University before the current No. 21 worked alongside Krawietz from Challenger level to Grand Slam Honor played up. 35-year-old Tim Pütz also studied at the same university in the US state of Alabama. After their famous series of victories in the Davis Cup, the 35-year-old from Frankfurt has been competing with Krawietz on the tour since this season.
More college players on the cusp of the top 100
Behind these absolute world-class players, three other DTB players who are about to jump into the top 100 of the doubles world rankings are preparing to follow in their big footsteps. Many German tennis fans were surprised at the start of the season when, in addition to the established players, they also heard the name of Fabian Fallert as a team member of the German selection for the United Cup, which was nominated as an alternative for the decisive mixed games. The 25-year-old from Bad Urach, who graduated from the University of Mississippi, impressed last season with two titles on the Challenger Tour and a final appearance at the ATP 250 tournament in Sofia alongside Oscar Otte. From the middle of the season, Fallert decided on 27-year-old Hendrik Jebens from Stuttgart as his new regular partner, with whom he reached three finals at Challengers by the end of the year. The previous interaction with the graduate of the Californian San Diego University was crowned by winning the title at the home challenger in Koblenz. Due to the injury-related absence of Fallert, who had to undergo hip surgery, Constantin Frantzen, who studied at Baylor University in Texas, jumped into the breach as Jebens' partner. The 25-year-old from Augsburg fitted in perfectly, which can be seen by winning the Challenger title in Biel, Switzerland.
Extreme focus in college on doubles
The reasons for the former college players' success on the doubles tour are obvious. While the young professional, who chooses to start the tour directly, is mainly a “lone fighter”, at the college you live the team spirit in the team structure right from the start. Furthermore, in team competitions within the university framework, the doubles are played before the singles in order to strengthen the importance of the doubles game. In Germany, unfortunately, it has often become common practice in the media games that meaningless doubles are often given away or divided up without playing. In any case, there is a need for action if in future it is not only to be said exclusively: "German double specialists - made in the USA".