Interview with Nicolas Kiefer - "Alexander Zverev is not missing much"
Nicolas Kiefer, formerly fourth in the ATP world rankings, in the tennisnet interview about the status quo in the Davis Cup, Alexander Zverev's prospects, his NK-4 European Fast Four Tennis project and his role as ROBINSON brand ambassador.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Feb 23, 2023, 02:19 pm
tennisnet : Mr. Kiefer. A few days ago, Germany lost to Switzerland in the Davis Cup at home in Trier. How do you feel about the current format?
Nicolas Kiefer : I'm not a fan of this system because the Davis Cup loses a lot of value. You can no longer identify with the competition. We also need home and away games in the decisive phase, i.e. in the semi-finals and finals. But when a few teams meet at an almost neutral location and play their matches there, you never get the feeling: this is the Davis Cup. Unfortunately, that's normal for all the young players. Most of them don't know any different.
tennisnet : Your formative memory as a Davis Cup player?
Kiefer : I think it was my very first match, my Germany debut against South Africa in Bremen, where I won against Grant Stafford after being 2-0 down in sets. That's a good thing to remember.
tennisnet : At the moment the whole burden in the individual - also in the Davis Cup - in Germany is on Alexander Zverev's shoulders. Where do you see him developing after the injury break?
Kiefer : Sascha is not missing much. He hasn't forgotten it. What can be seen, however, is that the self-confidence is a bit lacking. He used to score the points in tight situations, but now the opponents suspect: Oops, Sascha is vulnerable - or beatable. It looked very different a year ago. Then he has to work his way back into it. I could imagine that Sascha is putting a little too much pressure on himself at the moment. And the competition never sleeps: Auger-Aliassime, Rune, Ruud, Rublev, Tsitsipas - they're all getting stronger. The injury was unfortunate. Now Sascha practically has to start all over again. It's also clear: He's slipping down the rankings a bit now, coming up against the really big ones earlier. It is a doom-loop. But I also wish for him that he comes back to the top.
tennisnet : Striking with Alexander Zverev, but also with Dominic Thiem in these weeks, is the sometimes very defensive position far behind the baseline...
Kiefer : This is their oasis of well-being. With Dominic, the game was basically geared towards the back, with Sascha too. But: When Sascha trained with Ivan Lendl, it was noticeable that he went to the net much more often. And that's exactly where a match is decided. With the repertoire that Sascha has, he has to go forward. That fell a little short.
Nicolas Kiefer - "I had a lot of inquiries"
tennisnet : If someone from professional tennis asked you if you were available as a tour coach - what would you answer?
Kiefer : I had a lot of requests, but I turned them down because traveling 30 weeks a year is just too much. I still have other commitments, such as those with my other cooperation partners such as ROBINSON.
tennisnet : What is your connection to ROBINSON?
Kiefer : On the one hand, I am an ambassador for the ROBINSON brand and, on the other hand, I am a TOP tennis expert for the TOP events. And of course the focus is on the Kiwi camps for children and adults. At the beginning of April I will start with a children's camp at ROBINSON PAMFILYA, at the end of April we will be at ROBINSON SARIGERME PARK (camp for adults), which is already fully booked. However, we are offering another adult camp in October at ROBINSON SARIGERME PARK.
#IMG2#
tennisnet : What does the process look like? Do all participants get a chance to play with you?
Kiefer : On the first active day, there is a little 'preview' so that we can see where the individual participants are. Then you train in groups of three, in units of 90 minutes each. We have three places and the groups of three always rotate so that they can be with me and with my fellow coaches. Everyone should play with everyone. And that over five days. Training usually takes place in the morning. You can spend the afternoons in the ROBINSON Club very pleasantly even without tennis.
tennisnet : In which ROBINSON club will you and your fellow coaches hold the camp?
Pine : This year at ROBINSON SARIGERME PARK for adults and ROBINSON PAMFILYA for children. Both clubs are in Turkey. ROBINSON SARIGERME PARK is a beautiful clay court club. We deliberately set the dates so that we can address those players who can't wait to start outdoor tennis in the spring and can of course also use the camp to prepare for the season. And then also for those who don't want to go to the hall in autumn.
"My experience shows: tennis is alive!"
tennisnet : Are the participants really challenged?
Kiefer : Absolutely! We've always had great groups. Everyone pulled along, many points are played. And we always have our theme days. So let's take a closer look at a few shots. I really enjoy it.
#IMG3#
tennisnet : How do ambitious hobby players behave when Nicolas Kiefer, the former number four in the world, is on the other side of the net at ROBINSON SARIGERME PARK?
Kiefer : Oh, if there's a little excitement, it'll calm down quickly. Because sooner or later the guests think: there's only the kiwi over there, it only cooks with water!
tennisnet : The cooperation with ROBINSON is not your only task...
Kiefer : The NK-4 European Fast Four Tennis Race is something new. We want to further develop tennis, modernize the sport and make it more attractive again. Digitization makes everything easier, the big kick-off will be in April. The project's motto is "Sport meets IT". It is a great opportunity for clubs to host tournaments.
tennisnet : And the tension remains high for the participants...
Kiefer : Sets are played up to four, we play with the no-ad rule, there is no net serve. And our tournament series really should be for everyone, we don't want to exclude anyone. Club membership is not a necessary requirement. And we play in all classes: from youth to seniors.
tennisnet : Is that also a good way for clubs to gain new members?
Kiefer : Absolutely. With my "Coach Kiwi" campaign, I'm constantly out and about in clubs. And there is my experience: tennis is alive! It doesn't matter which clubs I went to. And the topic of digitization will perhaps pick up one or the other new interested party. Also with our NK-4 project. Info on nk-4.com !
#IMG4#
By the way, you can find information about the tennis offers in the ROBINSON Clubs here . No matter which club you choose, the ROBINSON tennis promise applies:
- Use of the club's own tennis facilities included
- Tennis racket rental from TOP partner included
- Licensed tennis instructors
- Tennis training based on the PLAY & STAY concept
- Tennis beginner offers (trial lessons) included