Niemeier coach Christopher Kas: "The better prepared you are, the fewer surprises there are"
Jule Niemeier (WTA-N. 97) is in the round of 16 at the 2022 Wimbledon tournament - after great and combative performances. We asked her coach Christopher Kas.
by Florian Goosmann at Wimbledon
last edit: Jul 02, 2022, 12:58 pm
Kasi, Jule really fought her way through against Lesia Tsurenko. After the playfully impressive victory over Anett Kontaveit, a good feeling about winning such a match “dirty” about the fight?
Totally, that is very highly rated! You couldn't expect Jule to play another game like he did against Kontaveit - everything was perfect from start to finish. It was more difficult against Tsurenko. There has been a lot going on in the last few days, in between Jule had a long double. And against Tsurenko I thought she returned sensationally.
After the win, you performed a slice move in Jules' direction, laughing. Because she sliced so patiently at match point - or was that an insider?
No, not at all - that was a sign of respect! One thing is to bring a slice in general. The other to play with so much quality in this situation. The slice balls in match ball, they were technically world class!
Jule must be a dream as a coach anyway: a player who has so much potential, but who also reads the game well and goes online voluntarily when the situation allows it.
It's great fun! And it's exciting. I'm not that excited either, for me it was all kind of to be expected. We're gaining as much experience as possible here and we'll learn a lot. Jule will be playing her best tennis in 12 to 18 months. Until then, it's going to be an interesting journey. Here at Wimbledon she has already taken so much: she played on a big pitch, beat number two of the tournament, won the match afterwards - which is so difficult after so many emotions from the match before. I'm totally happy.
What does 12 to 18 months mean – did you plan that far ahead in terms of training?
We have a plan for the next few days, a plan for the next few weeks and a plan for the next few months. I'm currently surprised at how well she already implements some things, even under the stress level. I don't want to go into too much detail, everything has to come at the right time. It's going to be even more stable, let's put it that way. But the process is great. And it's great to experience how much joy she comes to training every day, with what enthusiasm she plays and with what curiosity.
Do you have an advantage that you know Wimbledon well? You were here in doubles in the semi-finals and also in mixed doubles at the Olympic Games that took place here.
(thinks) Of course it helps to have a certain amount of experience. But what Jule has to deal with in singles cannot be compared to my doubles or mixed back then. I've gained a lot of experience as a coach in recent years, and I've learned a lot from Sabine Lisicki when it comes to lawn tennis. I try to pass that on. Ultimately, a lot is individual. You have to look: What options does my player have, what personality?
Jule seems quite cautious, you are very enthusiastic - is that also why you are a good combo?
You would have to ask Jule that. A high level of enthusiasm is a basic requirement as a trainer. You have to be able to convince the player with your own ideas. It ultimately goes both ways. Jule absorbs things wonderfully, I admire her calmness here, her sovereignty. It's an interaction where, as a coach, you also try to read your player as well as possible. There's a lot of flair there.
Jule now meets Brit Heather Watson, number 103 in the world, she is just behind Jule. How do you go there?
We don't prepare any differently than for a first round at a smaller tournament. It's the same processes. We talk about the match the night before, in detail in the warm-up. It's important to me that Jule can fully contribute. You can't make the trainers bigger than they are. Of course there is a match plan, but in the end Jule is on the pitch.
Should the game take place on Center Court: will you die here first, soak up the atmosphere?
Yes of course! We did that with Court 1 before the game against Kontaveit and watched Simona Halep's game there the day before. This is perfectly normal. You look at it, try to visualize what it's like to play there. You talk through the scenarios, that's part of the match preparation. But again, we take a game at the ITF tournament as seriously as we do the round of 16 here at Wimbledon. But of course: It's a special situation, on a big pitch at such a big tournament. Ultimately, you try to go through all eventualities.
To keep the surprises as small as possible?
Exactly. You want to be as prepared as possible. In the tactical area, in the technical, in the physical. And also in the psychological, in the mental area. Of course there is tension, it's not easy to play on such a big pitch. But the more prepared you are, the more confidence you have, the fewer surprises there are. You can then implement your tennis all the better.
Kasi, thank you very much for the interview and all the best to you!