Interview with Daniel Brands: "You never forget victory against Federer"
In an interview with tennisnet.com, the 32-year-old Munich tennis professional Daniel Brands describes the motives for his resignation, describes his best experiences on the tour including his victory against Roger Federer and looks ahead to his new tasks in tennis.
by Robert M. Frank
last edit: Jul 23, 2019, 08:23 am
What was the main reason for your resignation?
Brands : The main reason was certainly that I could no longer play the tournaments that I used to enjoy playing regularly.
Do you mean the often cited top 100 brand, over which the professional business is very hard?
Brands : As a professional tennis player, it only makes sense to be in the top 100. In the end I wasn't among them, so it wasn't an option for me to continue. Just playing Challengers in the long run just doesn't work.
You targeted this brand even after your knee injury two years ago, didn't you?
Brands : Yes, when I had to take a break after my knee surgery two years ago, I set myself this goal. I had given myself two years to get back into the top 100. That must be the goal of every tennis professional.
What were your best moments on the tour?
Brands : Definitely 2010 reaching the round of 16 at Wimbledon my greatest success of my whole career. I always like to look back. Biggest tournament there is. It's nice when you have had the greatest success. Multiple appearances for the German national team in the Davis Cup. I can remember exactly where we played against Brazil at home in the Daviscup against Ulm and where I was able to get the decisive point. It was an incredibly great feeling and a very nice experience that I will never forget. Standing twice in the semi-finals of the BMW Open is also part of it. For me it was always something special to play in Munich in my home country.
What role does your one-time victory in 2013 in Gstaad against Roger Federer play ?
Brands: I feel like a lot of tennis players: Roger Federer is one of my great idols. I had the honor of playing against him twice in quick succession in 2013. First in Hamburg and then two weeks later in Gstaad. You can't describe what it's like to face Roger Federer on the pitch. After the victory, it was a strange feeling at first because you think that everything is not real. On the other hand, it felt great. My tennis career was worth it just because of the win against Federer. You never forget something like that. I will always look back on that very proudly and no one can take that away from me. I belong to a small group that did it against Roger Federer. That's why it's very special for me.
How do you feel after you have taken your personal consequences and decided to step down?
Brands : Tennis has determined my life so far. In the past 15 years I have had to do without a lot of things and in my private life there has been a lot to put back. In this regard, I feel more relief than melancholy. I now have more time for things that are important in life. On the other hand, of course it's sad because tennis is my life. That's why tennis will continue to play a role for me in the future.
What role?
Brands : I will start training as a B-Trainer from October. I can imagine working as a trainer in both mass and competitive sports.
How did it feel after your decision at the French Open in May until your match in Wimbledon to play your last games on the tour and then in the Bundesliga for the TC Großhesselohe?
Brands : During the last training sessions, I noticed that I was able to play a little more freely. It was less pressure and I could just enjoy the game more.
But on the last Sunday in the Großhesseloher home game against Gladbach you looked a bit tense at times four days after your 32nd birthday ...
Brands : Yes, at my first home game after my return to TC Großhesselohe, I was a little tense because I wanted to present myself at my best in front of my family and many friends and acquaintances. I put a little pressure on myself. The first two games for Großhesselohe were not going so well for me, so I was glad against Gladbach that I could tear the game around. Overall, I was satisfied.
What is it like for you as a Munich player to play at home and not in the wider world?
Brands : It's just something special to play in Munich. My family and my girlfriend were there at home against Gladbach, which was very nice. I'm happy if I can play a few more games in the Bundesliga.
The interview was conducted by Robert M. Frank