If you watch a tennis match in the company of Günter Bresnik, you will receive a crash course in technology and tactics. Star coach Bresnik no longer shows up on the ATP tour that often, but he started the trip to New York City, mainly because of Gael Monfils. Standing by Bresnik's side: Richard Ruckelshausen, who has been accompanying Monfils as a tour coach for a long time.

But Bresnik also has a longstanding relationship with Ernests Gulbis, which did not help the Estonian in the qualifying final against Quentin Halys. Gulbis thus shared the fate of Jurij Rodionov, whose retirement had made one thing clear: Austria will not be represented in the individual competition for either the men or the women. On the courts. Apart from Günter Bresnik, some red-white-red representatives traditionally have a place in the coaching boxes. Somewhat surprisingly, Alexander Peya belongs to this guild, who coaches the Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis on behalf of Dirk Hordorff. The draw brought with it a very demanding task: Berankis has to play against Diego Schwartzman.

Melzer in three different roles

On the women's side, Ronald Schmidt probably has the most prominent role. Especially since Schmidt's protégé, Anastasija Sevastova, always plays particularly strong in New York City. This time Sevastova is going to the US Open unset, playing against Katerina Siniakova, who is also getting stronger in the individual. Christian Zahalka, on the other hand, has been working alongside Misaki Doi for years. The Japanese won a qualifier with Storm Sanders.

And then there are Jürgen Melzer and Julian Knowle. Knowle's role is well described to me as “coach”, a spontaneous comeback like at the beginning of the year in Australia is almost impossible. Melzer, on the other hand, wears three hats: First, that of Barbara Haas' coach. However, she was eliminated in the first qualifying round. Then the Austrian legend also holds the post of ÖTV sports director, which is why Melzer followed Jurij Rodionov's matches up close. And finally there is also the participation in doubles. However, not as planned with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. But at the side of the Australian Marc Polmans.

nycmap