Interview with Lukas Neumayer - "Sand has always been my favorite surface"
Austria's next-gen player Lukas Neumayer was able to win his first two matches in 2023 at the Tenerife Challenger. We met Neumayer, who is currently number 300 in the world rankings, for an interview on the largest of the Canary Islands.
by Florian Heer
last edit: Jan 19, 2023, 04:49 pm
By Florian Heer from Tenerife
Tennisnet: Lukas, Happy New Year! How did you start the season?
Lukas Neumayer: Unfortunately, I didn't start that well in terms of results, but I always played well in training. However, indoor hard court is still my greatest weakness. I don't feel so good about it yet. Now the focus is on the other tournaments and if things go as they did in training, then hopefully things will go well in the match as well.
You already know Tenerife from the preparations for the new season.
Yes, exactly. We spent four weeks in December with the academy from Südstadt in Adeje and had perfect conditions for a really great training session. I've also been here on vacation quite a few times. I don't think I've ever been to a tournament as beautiful as this one.
Were there specific things you worked on during the winter break?
A special focus was on the serve and the backhand. The serve should be even faster and I want to achieve a higher percentage. In addition, of course, I also worked on the baseline game, whereby the backhand should become more stable. The higher the level you play at, the faster your shots will be and your opponents will make fewer mistakes.
Which floor coverings do you prefer?
Clay has always been my favorite surface and is also the surface on which I have trained most of the time. My game fits in there very well. However, I was able to win a tournament on hard court last year and feel quite comfortable on this surface.
How would you describe your playing style?
I would say as an aggressive and varied baseline game. I also like to throw in one or two drop shots. My strongest shot is the forehand. I always try to be the more active player.
What do you like to do off the field?
I really like playing golf. If you're traveling in attractive regions, I naturally also look at the cities.
You are still a very young player. What were the biggest challenges when you came onto the professional tour?
My last year with the juniors was at a high level, but you could already feel the difference with the men. The players serve better, act faster and are more consistent. Also, you might have a little more respect when you're faced with a 30-year-old on the pitch instead of a teenager.
Do you still particularly follow the careers of the players you were with on the junior tour?
In any case, you're still looking at it. There might be one or two good players who are 100 places ahead of me in the rankings today. But in the end you have to take care of yourself.
Günter Bresnik said that you have to be patient.
Of course, you always want to get to the top as quickly as possible. However, it doesn't work that easily. Nevertheless, I am extremely satisfied with my development. I notice how I could increase my level even more. Of course, a certain amount of patience is required.
What is your conclusion for the 2022 season?
Actually pretty good. I was able to achieve what I set out to do. I really wanted to win a futures title. In the end there were three. I also wanted to be in the top 300. I managed that too. So I'm satisfied.
What were the highlights that you particularly remember?
Winning my first futures tournament is definitely one of them. In my home town of Salzburg, after my first win over a top 100 player, I was able to reach my first quarter-finals on the ATP Challenger Tour. I was also able to win the Austrian championships. During this period I also played what was probably my best tennis so far.
What are the objectives for the new season?
First and foremost, I want to play well and really earn the match wins. At the end of the year I would like to be in the top 200 in the world without being too focused on the rankings. I'm still a young player and I want to keep my head clear.
You are considered a great young talent in Austria. Do you also feel some pressure?
No not true. You always play with some pressure because you want to check your level in every match. I'm trying to keep my head clear on that though. I rather see that I can learn something from a player like Dominic Thiem.
Are you in contact with Dominic?
We once played against each other in an invitational tournament during the Corona period and if we see each other, of course we talk to each other. But otherwise we are not in regular contact.
There was an upgrade this year on the Challenger Tour in terms of world ranking points and prize money. How satisfied are you with the development?
This is of course very helpful for a player like me. There are more tournaments in different categories. The overall level is very high. But this helps to improve.
After a match, cross yourself and look towards the sky. Does that have a specific meaning?
My grandfather passed away a year and a half ago and I've been doing it after every match ever since.
So will this be retained?
Yes.
Thank you for the interview and continued success.