Melzer about state championships: The level is amazingly high!

Melzer about state championships: The level is amazingly high!

The Austrian tennis star Jürgen Melzer is currently a sought -after man. As sports director of the Austrian Tennis Association (ÖTV), he heads the state championships, which take place as "Win2day Open" in Oberpullendorf. "In the past, it was unthinkable that I work as a functional at the state championships," says Melzer, who himself celebrated numerous successes as a player, among other things three titles in Wimbledon. Kurier reports that the qualification started on Saturday and the main competition in Wimbledon begins.

His successes on the lawn of the All England Club are unforgettable. Melzer won the 1999 junior competition, and not to forget his double titles: 2010 with Philipp Petzschner and 2011 in mixed with Iveta Benesova. For him, the double title with Petzschner remains the best success in Wimbledon. "And the bitterest defeat? Certainly that against Janowicz in the round of 16 2013," recalls the 42-year-old. Another focus is on the current Wimbledon edition, where Filip Misolic and Sebastian Ofner represent Austria's colors. While Misolic has improved from 35th place onto the top 100, OFERNER are entitled to good chances against Medjedovic if his fitness is right.

state championships with potential

The state championships in Oberpullendorf are enjoying growing popularity. Melzer praises the positive development of the tournament and emphasizes the cooperation with the ÖTV. Latest talents such as Thilo Behrmann and Joel Schwärzler are also causing a sensation. Behrmann is on the right track, even if things go a little slower, while Schwärzler has difficulties but is making progress. "Here with us there is great potential," says Melzer.

A central topic is the challenges in the school system for 10 to 14 year olds. "There are many problems on the table," says Melzer. He refers to the performance center in the Südstadt, which offers excellent support, but also has some restrictions. Two new talents have started to train there, and a lot is expected from them.

a comeback in Wimbledon

and not just as a functional, also as a player, Melzer is active again. In 2022 he took part in the legend doubles in Wimbledon, where he competes with Gilles Muller from Luxembourg. He found the invitation of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club as a special honor and a little dream that comes true. "I feel in a useful form for Wimbledon and have confidence in my skills on lawn," says Melzer, who above all sees the encounter with old acquaintances as the highlight. ÖTV summarizes that the focus is less on the results than is more about the game.

Melzer's tennis path began in childhood: he finally found passionate about football, basketball and table tennis. "My talent was discovered in Calabria during a family vacation," he explains, and the training began in Heribert Elias' tennis school before moving to Günter Bresnik. The official tennis career started at the age of 18 when he became an Austrian champion and won the junior individual competition in Wimbledon, as Wikipedia

The future sees Melzer optimistic: "Developments in tennis in Austria are promising. We have talented players who are ready to take the next steps." In view of his commitment in the association work and his own return to the square, tennis fans can look forward to many exciting developments in the Austrian tennis scene.