September Recap

After the success in Como, we went straight on to Genoa for the Challenger 125. Despite the back to back titles, we are still missing a few points to qualify as a team for the Australian Open and to play consistently on the ATP Tour. As the name suggests, the 125 category is about 125 points, and established ATP Tour players also regularly play here. In Genoa, for example, Fabio Fognini was there. The next higher category is the ATP 250 tournaments such as in Stuttgart or Munich. We started the tournament very well in Genoa, but unfortunately lost very narrowly in the quarter-finals against Sabanov/Sabanov. After 9 wins in a row, our little streak of success was broken. After a few days at home we went straight on to Stettin in Poland. Train to Berlin and the shuttle picked us up from there, a convenience that you don't always have. I've actually never been to Poland before, Szczecin has a very nice city center and the tournament was very well organized. Unfortunately, we were eliminated in the match tiebreak right in Round 1 against the eventual tournament winners Paulson/Sachko 10-12. After 2 titles in a row, there were now 2 early defeats. It's bitter that these happened both times with 125 challengers, but close defeats are part of the sport and especially in doubles.

The first 4 tournaments after my injury were still good and Constantin and I played at a very high level. That's why, despite two defeats, we traveled with confidence to Bad Waltersdorf for the next 125 in Styria. We always play very well in Austria, and that should be the case this week too. After 2 strong rounds, we were able to win a very close semi-final with 13-11 in the match tiebreak, before we showed one of our best performances of the year in the final and were able to win the title with 61-62. At the award ceremony we were even allowed to sing the German national anthem, certainly one of the highlights of my tennis career so far. In addition to the great emotions, we were also able to collect important world ranking points; on Monday after Bad Waltersdorf I was able to move up to position 80 in the double world rankings. The clay court season is now over and we are off to Orleans France for the first indoor hardcourt tournament since spring. Orleans is a classic on the Challenger Tour, the tableau is full of big names. Benoît Paire, Richard Gasquet, Mahut/Herbert in doubles and all the upcoming young top stars. The center court has space for over 5000 spectators. After another perfect week we were able to win the title here too, along the way we defeated Herbert/Mahut, among others, before we were able to win the final with 76 76. A breathtaking experience to play in front of so many people. It continues in October with the Challenger 100 in Mouilleron Le Captif and the Challenger 125 in Bratislava, before we possibly start on the ATP Tour in Antwerp or Stockholm. After this week I am in position 71 in the ATP Double Live Ranking.