Stradivaris, lightsabers and the NextGen - Philipp Kohlschreiber is ready for the Australian Open
Philipp Kohlschreiber will travel to the Australian Open 2022 as a fixed starter. His manager / coach Stephan Fehske will only support the veteran from a distance.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jan 09, 2022, 12:00 pm
First of all, some sad news: Stephan Fehske will not accompany his protégé Philipp Kohlschreiber to the Australian Open in Melbourne. This is regrettable in several ways, especially for the German veteran who has to do without his self-appointed tour guide. In truth, of course, Fehske is much more: manager, motivator, friend. And, not to be underestimated, also a culinary capacity. The ordinary Leberkässemmel is alien to Fehske, most recently in New York City the interested public was allowed to take part in some excursions of the pairing Fehske / Kohlschreiber in restaurants that are under heavy suspicion of star ratings.
And yes: Stephan Fehske hits the ball pretty well himself, the description of his forehand as a “lightsaber” is rarely contradicted in specialist circles. Especially not in public. On the other hand, the fact that he is not quite at eye level with the athleticism of Alex de Minaur does not detract from Fehskes expertise on the tennis court. Especially since that is also Philipp Kohlschreiber's job. The other hand also has a fine blade. And has been twirling the backhand over the net so finely for years that the comparison with a Stradivarius is really not too far-fetched.
Kohlschreiber trains with Stricker
Philipp Kohlschreiber did not necessarily want to qualify for the first major in 2022, but after a few rejections, the veteran has now slipped directly into the 128 grid. Last year, the now 38-year-old competed entirely on a trip to Melbourne, with Kohlschreiber only playing 16 matches on the ATP tour. The last one to date in Indian Wells, where Kohlschreiber lost to Taro Daniel in round one.
But now Kohlschreiber is fully in the juice again, has used the last few weeks for training at the TennisBase in Oberhaching. With interesting partners, as Fehske explains in an interview with tennisnet.com. Kohlschreiber was clearly oriented towards the NextGen, practicing with the German hope Max Rehberg, for example. Or with Jakob Schnaitter, a German who is currently playing at a US college. Fehske also made a lasting impression on Dominic Stricker from Switzerland.
"Cool guy. Philipp enjoyed the training a lot. And was fiddly. It was also interesting for us to see a young man like Stricker reading the game. And when he thinks he can accelerate the ball, ”said Fehske. "The young generation is a bit differently polarized."
Fehske has a lot of confidence in his protégé
Kohlschreiber's last trip down under was ambivalent: First he won the title from a strong challenger, then he defeated Marcos Giron from the USA in round one of the Australian Open. Just in order not to be able to play for the next match against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Depending on the draw, at least one victory should be possible this year too, Kohlschreiber's manager / coach, as always, even believes in much more. Even if they are unable to provide support on site.
But Stephan Fehske's absence in Melbourne also has something good: In a certain Munich fitness studio, one can assume that it will be in operation as early as six in the morning. And that is worth something in times of Corona and home office. If the Australian Open is on TV at the same time, the unit on the treadmill is also easier.