Oscar Otte in an interview: "Now that has nothing to do with luck either"
Oscar Otte not only made it into the top 100 in 2022, but also made it into the top 40 tennis players in the world. In an interview with tennisnet.com, the German talks about his current knee injury, the benefits of a good ranking and the constant belief that he can do it.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jul 21, 2022, 07:29 am
Hello, Mr Otte. First of all, how are you feeling after your knee operation?
I have to say, I'm actually doing really well. I almost imagined it to be a bit worse, but I have no pain at all. I had to take painkillers and I've been in rehab since yesterday. So everything is going according to plan.
When and how did you sustain this injury?
To be honest, I've had a problem with my left knee for a little while and then didn't notice anything during the grass season, only a little before that on clay. So it really wasn't a problem. But then there was another training week on the cinders and the Bundesliga and then – I have to say – I noticed my knee a bit again. That got me a little worried too. I then decided to go to the MRI on Friday morning. Then the diagnosis came out that the inner meniscus had torn and then everything happened very quickly: I saw an orthopaedist, then we looked for a knee specialist. I also asked Andreas Mies for help because he often had knee problems. Everything went "Rucki Zucki": It was my birthday on Sunday, then I spent half a day with the knee specialist in Cologne and he said: "It starts on Monday". That was the process.
Are you moving on so quickly? When is your return planned, is there a date already?
It's always difficult to say, of course, but it wasn't a major surgery either. If everything goes well, then you have to see if you can play a tournament before the US Open. Otherwise hopefully until the US Open, but it's always hard to say beforehand. That's the rough plan until then.
On to happier things: your weeks leading up to Wimbledon. You are now number 40 in the world and have reached the semi-finals in Halle. How did things go so well for you in the days leading up to Wimbledon?
That's honestly a good question, of course. I've been able to play consistently over the last year, the last year and a half, haven't had an injury and have simply regained a lot of self-confidence through the many matches and victories on the Challenger Tour. Then there were a few better victories on the ATP tour. I was able to play there regularly because the ranking went up and I just felt very comfortable. I was super hot, I'm still super hot. Unfortunately, I'm a bit prevented now, but I think even after the injury there will simply be a push in the right direction. I was able to rely on my strengths, served well and was physically in really good shape. Yes, I just really wanted to play tennis. And that has worked really well in the last few weeks. Grass suited my game anyway. So I'm looking forward to being back on the pitch again. Let's see, but I think the hard court season will also suit my game quite well.
I just really feel like playing tennis.
Oscar Otte on the strong weeks before Wimbledon
Of course, with good results comes increased expectations – not just from yourself, but also from people in your own country. How did you deal with that – especially with regard to Wimbledon?
Of course I was very happy about that. I mean, such reactions and expectations always come when you play well. For me, that was simply confirmation that I had shown really good weeks and months. I accepted the situation quite well, in Wimbledon I had – yes – a difficult match against Alcaraz. You have to say that he really had a super good day, he's just a really good player in general. There wasn't much inside. But otherwise, in the weeks before: Even if I lost the matches, everything was within, everything was on an equal footing - I was never far away. I lived up to expectations quite well, yes.
Looking back at London, there is a very curious story about your luggage on the outward journey (note: a suitcase with rackets and strings was lost). To what extent does that affect an athlete in the preparation for such an important tournament?
That was of course very annoying, I have to admit honestly. It kind of took me a little bit every day. At some point I just tried to ignore it, then my coach, my girlfriend and my sister tried to take care of it. In the meantime, the first piece of luggage that we lost on the outward flight has been returned. I lost another one on the flight back to Germany, it's still not there. The moment I landed in London and a bag with not so unimportant things was missing, that was of course very annoying. But it also worked out quite well. I mean you always get shoes and strings, now if it had been a racquet it would probably have been a bit more complicated.
Wimbledon and you, there is an image that springs to mind for many tennis fans. When you lay on the grass in your match against Andy Murray and made that intoxicated gesture. Was that a completely spontaneous reaction or somehow a trademark of yours?
No, it's not a trademark, well, I don't smoke, so it's not a trademark. It's a gesture that we used to use as a joke in our circle of friends. So there's a bit more to it than that. That came to my mind so spontaneously. I've said that before, it was an extremely slippery game back then. I think Murray went there a couple of times too and somehow I had to let off some pressure on my coach so I didn't completely freak out on the pitch (laughs).
At the beginning of the year you broke into the top 100 in the world. At 29, it's a bit late to take such a giant step. Why is it this exact time? It already started last year with the strong results on the Challenger Tour.
I think in the last few years my body has always been a big problem that has thrown me back again and again. We got it under control really well with a change in training and by paying a little more attention to the physical. We tried that I just have a lot of matches, that I can play through a season and that I can see where things are going. That was the case in the last year and a half: I had a lot of matches on the Challenger Tour, then played really well at the US Open, played tight games, and sometimes matches went my way. I think that was the main reason then: to give yourself the chance not to be injured, just to play, to be a tennis player and that's how the better results came. That's not supposed to sound stupid, but I've always just been waiting for it, personally I really think it's just a matter of time before I can play through it really well and then see for myself whether it's enough. And I think the level was enough and it has nothing to do with luck that I'm so high up. I just kept at it, constant, even when injuries set me back. Of course I'm very happy about that now. And now again: Luckily it's not a major injury like some others, which throws me back a bit. But I think I'll come back stronger from this injury too.
I personally thought it was only a matter of time.
Oscar Otte on breaking into the top 100 in the world.
With the ranking - especially on the ATP tour - there are many implications. The priority is that you are now firmly in the main field in tournaments where you previously had to qualify. This new mindset that you already have fixed points and can attack in the field, how does that change the way you go about your work in these tournaments?
Of course it's a bit more pleasant in general. You don't have to play a challenger every week no matter what, like it was in a certain other time. You can also say: "Hey, now I'm going to take a week off from a tournament, now I'm recovering, I'll train properly." Therefore, the entire season planning has become more pleasant with the ranking, you can also withdraw a bit and you don't have to look: "Oh, I need the points now so that I can get into the top 100." Now I have a very good ranking and I definitely want to consolidate myself here first. That's why: Sure, it's easier to plan, the tournaments are getting bigger, the prize money is getting bigger, you can take one or the other with you, who will then take care of you. Now after the injury, the physio and athletic trainer will clearly have a big focus on building me up well, preparing me well for the matches, so that my body simply remains stable. So I'm very happy and confident that things will now go in the right direction again.
The financial aspect for players who are outside the top 100, the top 150: to what extent does this also make it more difficult to get to the top of the rankings?
Sure, it's difficult, it affects everyone. If you don't stand too high - I've done it for years - it's just hard. I don't really want to complain now. But it's just like that when you're 150, 200, 250 - of course there's a bit more money in the Grand Slam qualifiers - then you can't afford to take your trainer or your physio with you every week, otherwise you'll do it you just a minus. That's why it's just difficult, you have to fight your way through it. Everyone has to find their own way, it's not easy. I think the jump from the Challenger to the ATP tour is even more difficult than from the Future to the Challenger tour. Then it is decided who really wants it, who can really make it.
But when you make a breakthrough, like you, dreams do come true. For you, such a thing came true with the nomination for the Davis Cup duel with Brazil. They couldn't play individually, but things are looking good for Hamburg - if the body holds up. To what extent is that already present for you?
Davis Cup and Olympia were and are always present for me. I said that years ago when I was still far, far away from all these events (laughs). So: Sure, I want to get fit, I want to play the Davis Cup at home in Hamburg – I think that will also be something very special. That's why I'm going to give my rehab a lot of gas over the next few weeks and try to get fit again for Hamburg. It was really fun to be part of the team in Brazil, I would have really liked to play. I also had a small chance, but Team Brazil didn't want to play the last singles. That's why I've saved that for Hamburg and I think I'll be more than ready for it.
After the success over Brazil in March, Alexander Zverev also joined the team at short notice. What does his participation do to the team as an absolute top player?
He is then definitely the leading person as a player. It was great for us as a team that he joined us. He is one of the best tennis players in the world. Personally, I was really excited, I was on standby the whole time, of course I would have liked to play and I think it was definitely good that he was there. He helped a lot, he won both matches. Of course I also hope that he is also busy in his rehab and making progress and will be fit again for Hamburg or maybe for the US Open.
I was also happy when I got to 500.
Otte when asked what goals are planned for next year.
Finally, a quick look into the future: Let's go maybe a year, what should you have achieved in order to be really happy with your achievements?
I'm generally a very happy person. I was also happy when I got to 500 and won a challenger or two or two. I just love playing tennis and then I think the results and results will just come too. It's clear that it won't be easy to play my best tennis right after rehab. I know that too, I have to prepare myself for that mentally. But, well, what do we have now, mid-July? In a year? Maybe same ranking, maybe top 20? I don't know, let's see what the future brings.
All the best for the rehab and thank you for the interview!