Yannick Hanfmann - "The cornea regresses."
The corona pandemic continues to strangle the tennis tour and the wave of tournament cancellations does not stop. However, there has been light at the end of the tunnel since last week. From May onwards, German professionals are to be given match practice again by running national tournament series. One of the cracks that will be at the start is Yannick Hanfmann.
by Florian Heer
last edit: Apr 24, 2020, 11:07 pm
By Florian Heer
Like most of his colleagues, the 28-year-old German has been severely restricted in his job since the virus broke out. A situation that a globetrotter can also benefit from.
“When the first tournaments were canceled, I was completely at home in Karlsruhe for three to four weeks. Accordingly, I was able to spend a lot of time with family and friends, which has never been the case in recent years. So I received this very positively at the beginning and it was really nice. With the end of the honeymoon phase, however, I got the urge to do something other than yoga or jogging, ”says Hanfmann as part of the tennis podcast“ Challenger Corner ”with a smile.
“Fortunately, the TennisBase Oberhaching has received an exception to be able to start training again. So I can enjoy a regular daily routine again. "
Tennis training in times of COVID-19
Normality on the tennis court looks different these days. Stringent requirements must also be followed in the south of Munich. "The general social distancing rules apply," says Hanfmann, who can also use his own apartment at the TennisBase.
“The traditional clapping takes place in the air. The gym may only be used by two people at the same time and the coaches must ensure that disinfection is carried out regularly. The changing room and showers are taboo for external parties. It all feels a little strange, but it's less dramatic because we're just happy to be able to play again. ”
Wounds in the square
When returning to the court after a break of four weeks, the tennis professionals are not immune from negative effects. "Cornea re-forms on the hand, which meant that I got blisters immediately after the first - deliberately slow - training sessions," Hanfmann describes the first grips on the racket. "It was a nice reminder of how long the break actually was."
The way back to competition mode
In the end, even the best training sessions cannot replace competition mode. It remains uncertain whether the international tennis circus will start moving again this season. The first corona loosening in some federal states gave the go-ahead to start at least national tournament series. In addition to the German Tennis Association, which would like to hold events lasting several weeks in June, a first exhibition with eight German players is to be launched at Base Tennis in Höhr-Grenzhausen in Rhineland-Palatinate from May 1st.
"Rodney Rapson (note: partner of Base Tennis GbR) contacted me relatively early on and presented me with his idea of the tournament series", Hanfmann was amazed by the early plan, but at the same time was thrilled to be offered match practice. “Over time, he then sent more detailed information about the tournament and the requirements to be met by the offices, and after some back and forth it was finally confirmed that the event could go up. We are of course very happy to compete against each other again. I am especially happy to play Dustin Brown again. It is always great fun, ”said the current number 143 in the ATP singles ranking.
In addition to Hanfmann and Brown, Benjamin Hassan, Johannes Haerteis, Constantin Schmitz, Jan Choinski, Florian Broska and Jean-Marc Werner will participate. Based on the next-gen rules, the tournament should take place in round robin format.
Goal: Back to the top 100
Hanfmann is already hoping for more formats. “The tender from the DTB looks very good. Of course, it is still a little early to be able to give details, ”said the former US college player, who made his breakthrough in international professional tennis three years ago. A quarter-final at the BMW Open in Munich, the move into the final of the Swiss Open from Gstaad and the triumph at the ATP Challenger tournament in Ismaning, Bavaria, brought him to 99th place in the ATP world rankings, Hanfmann's best position to date.
Subsequently, the native of Karlsruhe found it difficult to maintain the level. A small career break, which Hanfmann regards as “normal” after such a strong run and has now overcome it. Following the national tournament series, the Munich-based company would like to be able to hunt for points again as soon as possible. When asked whether Hanfmann still believes that this will still be the case in 2020, he replies: “I hope so. It is so difficult to predict, but I hope that somehow we can get a late summer season in and the French Open can take place. ”As is well known, hope dies last.