Interview with Patrik Kühnen: "Happy that Sascha Zverev has been playing in Munich since 2014"
Patrik Kühnen has been the tournament director of the BMW Open since 2008. The former German Davis Cup player and captain is finally looking forward to live tennis again.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Apr 21, 2021, 11:09 am
Patrik Kühnen arrived in Munich on Wednesday. After a one-year break, the International Bavarian Tennis Championships are coming up at the MTTC Iphitos. Like so many other tournaments, the BMW Open fell victim to the corona pandemic in 2020, and this year too, it will have to be played without spectators. The field of participants is still very formidable: With Alexander Zverev , Jannik Sinner ,Casper Ruud , Aslan Karatsev and Daniel Evans, five players come to Munich who are among the top eleven in the annual ranking, the Race to Turin.
In an interview with tennisnet.com, Patrik Kühnen doesn't want to hide his anticipation for the traditional tournament.
tennisnet : Mr. Kühnen. What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming BMW Open?
Patrik Kühnen : On the one hand, I want to finally see my team again, with whom I will run the tournament. We've talked a lot on the phone and organized in the last few weeks, and now the time has come for us to meet here on the system. And of course I'm particularly looking forward to the fact that there is finally live tennis again.
tennisnet : After the French Open was postponed by a week, a later free date suddenly opened up. Was postponing the tournament an option? Also with regard to the fact that later May could possibly be played with spectators?
Kühnen : The developments at the French Open came at very short notice. It was not an option for us to change our plans.
tennisnet : Alexander Zverev has already won the tournament in Munich twice, he is also playing this year. How does this special relationship come about?
Kühnen : First of all, I have to say that it is not a matter of course that Alexander Zverev will serve us. We are very happy and grateful that Sascha has been with us since 2014. At that time it was a wild card against Jürgen Melzer on the second center court. I am expecting a very hungry Alexander Zverev, who will also arrive very early. He will prepare accordingly for our slight altitude.
"Zverev comes up more often - I like to see that with him"
tennisnet : Since that first appearance in 2014 - where do you see the biggest improvements at Alexander Zverev?
Kühnen : A very exciting, positive maturation process has started. Most intensely during the last twelve to 18 months. I like to take the example of the US Open 2020: Sascha was behind in two matches, also against Pablo Carreno Busta with 0-2 sets. In these situations Sascha stayed calm, thought about how he could still win the match. A lot has happened in terms of mental strength. And his game has also evolved. Sascha comes up to the front more often, because I like to see him. I would even like to see a little more serve and volley when the score is correct. It is a process. And I am very confident.
tennisnet : At the presentation of the field of players a few months ago, you introduced Jannik Sinner as a young and wild. The Italian is now among the top 20 in the world. And has gained a lot of experience over the past 15 months.
Kühnen : Jannik has a very good, very experienced environment, especially with his coach Ricardo Piatti. He leads him very well as a fatherly figure and as an outstanding figure. You can see that in the tournament planning and in his development as a player. Jannik Sinner makes a very mature impression on me for his age. Also in the analysis of his matches, even in the event of defeat. It's very professional.
"I'm looking forward to Aslan Karatsev"
tennisnet : The record winner in Munich is called Philipp Kohlschreiber. What is the current situation like for him?
Kühnen : Philipp is really looking forward to the BMW Open. It was a matter of course for us to support him with a wildcard. Philipp didn't play much, but he comes back to the place where he played five times in the final, won three times. Every player on the tour knows: Playing against Philipp Kohlschreiber at the MTTC Iphitos is a difficult task.
tennisnet : And then Aslan Karatsev, one of the surprise men of the season, comes to Munich. Jan de Witt recently said that he expects Karatsev to be in the top 20 by the end of the year. How do you see the development of the Russian?
Kühnen : I'll go with you. I also broadcast the ATP Cup for Sky, and I noticed Karatsev last year because he played doubles so incredibly well. This year Russia won - and at the award ceremony Daniil Medvedev turned to Karstev for a moment and said to him: “Boy, this year will be your year.” The semifinals at the Australian Open and the tournament victory in Dubai confirmed that . I am really happy that he is coming.