Grün-Weiss Mannheim starts the 2019 season with Thiem and Borg
The reigning German master Grün-Weiss Mannheim announced two more hits with the publication of the entry list. Moritz Thiem and Leo Borg move to the Neckarplatt.
by Press release
last edit: Mar 20, 2019, 09:43 pm
Moritz Thiem already knows Grün-Weiss Mannheim. The Bundesliga, the audience, the mood in the team. Sure, because last year he was with his big brother Dominic Thiem in the derby against TC Weinheim. The 19-year-old was amazed by the more than 4,000 spectators who romped around the facility because of the Bundesliga. Team principal Gerald Marzenell and coach Daniel Steinbrenner opened the door for him: "If you want, you are welcome to come to us." Said and done. Moritz Thiem will serve for Grün-Weiss in the regional league for the first time in 2019. "He is a very calm guy, but a fighter on the pitch," Steinbrenner describes the Lower Austrian.
Thiem got his first world ranking points last year and will be playing on the tour again this year. Steinbrenner: “He has a brother with rank and name, but wants to assert himself with his own tennis. It is certainly not easy, but the potential is there. ” Compared to the other two youngsters, Schlageter and Gieße, Thiem is one step further. “The new system makes it difficult to compete in the world rankings. The Top 400 are realistic and then it depends on many small factors where Moritz's journey is still going, ”Steinbrenner assesses the situation. Grün-Weiss Mannheim is to become a milestone on this trip that gives experience and makes Moritz Thiem stronger. Marzenell: "The goal with us is to play in the Bundesliga in two, three or four years." The reigning German master continues to work on the future.
# IMG2 #
Leo Borg: Good athlete, lots of spin in the game
The second well-known addition also fits: Leo Borg. The son of tennis legend Björn Borg, who brought tennis to millions worldwide in the 1970s, is currently Sweden's number one U16 and in the ITF's U18 world rankings
347 managed. “You have to remember that he is only 15, so he was born in 2003. He is one of the ten best young players in Europe, ”explains Gerald Marzenell, who brought Borg to Mannheim.
At the European Cup final of the U16 in France a few weeks ago, for which Germany qualified for the first time in years, the eight teams were together for a week. Marzenell was on site as a DTB trainer: "From time to time we trained alongside the Swedes." And also played against them in the game for fifth place. The Grün-Weiss team boss coached Borg and knows: “He is a good athlete, plays with spin like his father. In general, his technique is reminiscent of Björn Borg. Ambidextrous backhand, good forehand and a fighter on the court. ”
During the week, Marzenell got into conversation with the Swedish coach Rickard Billing. Then the trainers texted back and forth. “I told him that Leo would love to get a taste of the air in the Regional League. If he continues to develop so well, we will of course also place him in the Bundesliga, ”said Marzenell. Leo Borg agreed. To team leader Daniel Steinbrenner, Marzenell only said that he is on a good player with a future. “I was really happy. I saw a video of him a few months ago. It's fun to watch him. But it won't be easy for Leo or Moritz in the Regionalliga, ”says Steinbrenner. The reason: the names! Steinbrenner: “It will definitely be a special incentive to play against the two boys. Nobody will underestimate them. But that's the way it should be. That's how they develop. ”
# IMG3 #
In the already strong Regionalliga team (including Tobias Kamke, Robin Kern and Andreas Beck on the entry list), Thiem and Borg are following a path that Gerald Melzer and Nicolas Kicker, for example, had previously gone - Steinbrenner: “They should gain experience. Get a push for the tournaments. And play in the Bundesliga with us sometime in the near future. ” The two boys can be trusted. And how often do you play in Mannheim? Steinbrenner: “We'll clarify the days. Double game days certainly make sense, but there we look together for an optimal solution for everyone. We have always managed to do that. ” The 2019 season can therefore come for the second team of the German champions.
The complete team registration in the expected order:
Tobias Kamke, Jeremy Jahn, Robin Kern, Moritz Thiem, Justin Schlageter, Andreas Beck, Simon Stadler, Martin Fischer, Jannik Gieße, Daniel Steinbrenner, Leo Borg, Cedric Holzmann, Philipp Uhde, Max Rauch
The match days:
June 15, 2019 in Sulzbachtal
16.06.19 against palm garden
29.06.19 against Leingarten
June 30, 2019 in Bad Homburg
06.07.19 against Rüsselsheim
13.07.19 against Mainz
July 14, 2019 in Waldau