On, on and on: Philipp Kohlschreiber "never thinks of quitting"
Philipp Kohlschreiber is 37 years old. At the end of this season he wants to consider whether he would still be good enough for the tennis tour at the age of 38. He would definitely like it.
by SID
last edit: Apr 28, 2021, 01:13 pm
Philipp Kohlschreiber could have been depressed, no question about it. He had fought for almost two and a half hours, but in the end it was in vain. In Munich, of all places, at his favorite tournament, where he is the record winner with three titles, it was over in round one. But Kohlschreiber is not one who simply puts down the tennis racket. Defeat? So what! So he went back out to a seat next to the MTTC Iphitos facility - and did a little more training right away.
Kohlschreiber is now 37 years old, he will be 38 in October. He was once number 16 in the world, but that was almost nine years ago. He is currently listed at position 114. He achieved the last of eight victories on the ATP Tour in 2017 in Kitzbühel, which was his adopted home until a year ago. No, Kohlschreiber no longer has a great future ahead of him - but stop? "I never think of quitting," he emphasized after his three-set defeat against Dominik Koepfer, "I still have a lot of fun."
Kohlschreiber: "I have to make points"
So on, on and on. Or not? In February 2020 Kohlschreiber survived the first round in Dubai and has not won a match since then - although he has only participated in five tournaments. Hence the slipping in the world rankings. In Munich he received a wildcard for the main field, which is why he was spared qualification. Therefore Kohlschreiber also said: “The truth is:“ I have to score. ”His next tournament is therefore the Challenger in Heilbronn from May 9. Second league.
"Sometimes," said Kohlschreiber, "you have to take a small step back in order to have a lot of good matches" in order to "gain confidence." The French Open is coming soon. There Kohlschreiber, who has played 41 matches for Germany in the Davis Cup, will be in the main field, thanks to his so-called "protected ranking". In Roland Garros, which this time will not be played from May 30th to June 13th due to Corona, he could still qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo: That would be a "highlight". But a lot would have to fit together for that.
Kohlschreiber wants to "give everything this year"
Kohlschreiber feels the "ambition, the" desire to play good tennis again. "That is why he has resolved to" give everything this year ", now to" give it all again " ask: "Am I still good enough or not?" Say: "Can I still play top level" - or is it time to say goodbye after all. He already has a place of retreat: He has been living in Germany again for a year, he has A house was built in the south of Munich.
But, strictly speaking, Kohlschreiber would be fine if things continued into the coming year. To play top level, "I think I can still do this".