US Open under the cheese bell? Nicolas Kiefer would have said "No, thank you"
Next week it will be decided whether and under what circumstances the US Open 2020 will take place. Ex-top player Nicolas Kiefer would have rejected a certain scenario in his active time.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jun 14, 2020, 09:30 am
Nicolas Kiefer was known as an uncomfortable and critical mind during his active time, which brought him to fourth place in the ATP world rankings and six tournament victories. The idea of spending up to four weeks in a hotel with no exit options due to a grand slam tournament (and possibly also an ATP Masters 1000 event that took place before that) would not have been well received by Kiefer.
"I would have said: No, thanks. Because we Germans are a polite people, ”Kiefer said in an interview with sportradio360 . It will probably be planned with the worst case. “But I don't think that too many players are happy about it. What you want to tinker with around the US Open has nothing to do with sport anymore. ”
Kiefer had his best result in New York in the quarter-finals in 2000, losing in four sets to the later champion Marat Safin.
Kiefer loses to Sampras at home
Kiefer won six titles in singles on the tour, but one double remains. "The bitterest defeat was of course at the Olympic Games with Rainer Schüttler," said the now 42-year-old. Kiefer / Schüttler had four match balls in the final against Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu, and moreover in a row. Gold nevertheless went to the two Chileans. "On the other hand, it was also one of the greatest successes because the Olympic Games always accompany you."
Another highlight was the appearance at the ATP final in Hanover at home. 13,000 spectators at home, ten minutes ("If I drive faster: five minutes.") From home - the end came in the semi-final against Pete Sampras.
As a player, Nicolas Kiefer witnessed the transition of generations from the era of Sampras and Andre Agassi to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Kiefer won three matches in a row against the young Federer, but in the end the balance clearly spoke for the Swiss. The meetings with Nadal were not pure joy either. "These are players, you know you have to play at the limit. And sometimes over it. ”Kiefer lost to the Spaniard in the Edspiel of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Toronto in 2008.
"Everyone who plays along has talent"
His last tournament victory was in 2000 in Hong Kong against Mark Philippoussis. And is still waiting for the winning trophy to this day. They wanted to send him the trophy, but it has not yet arrived. Kiefer is still active for the SCC Berlin in the German tennis Bundesliga - alongside former greats like Thomas Enqvist or Arnaud Clement.
In Berlin, he also looks after young tennis players. There are two things on the jaw's side: First of all, young players should definitely deal with their material - because that can influence them. Just like the serve. And: “Everyone who plays along has talent. And the last few percent always take place in the head. And there are always areas of the body that you work on. My attitude was: You shouldn't lose a match because of your physical fitness. "