Sven Swinnen nonetheless remembers the primary time he watched Dominic Stricker play. The lefty, who was 14 on the time, visited the Swiss Tennis Academy in Biel, Switzerland. To not put any strain on the juniors coaching there with huge desires, the ability is positioned on Roger-Federer-Allee.
“He was hitting the ball already fairly clear. He had the ball properly on his racquet already at a younger age,” Swinnen informed ATPTour.com. “Clearly perhaps his footwork wasn’t one of the best but. He nonetheless can enhance on that immediately. However slowly it’s getting higher and higher.”
Stricker was simply visiting for a pair days of apply on the nation’s nationwide coaching centre. Six years later he’s 20 years outdated, and Swinnen is his full-time coach. The lefty is on the rise.
Stricker completed his 2022 season enjoying a number of the greatest tennis of his profession, successful a main-draw match on the ATP 250 in Antwerp and one other on the ATP 500 in Basel, his residence occasion. Then he shone on the Intesa Sanpaolo Subsequent Gen ATP Finals, defeating Jack Draper, Lorenzo Musetti and Chun-Hsin Tseng in round-robin play earlier than falling within the semi-finals.
“We attempt to take one step at a time. Now clearly he’s near the Prime 100, so the subsequent aim if you happen to speak rankings-wise shall be to get a spot within the Prime 100 and attempt to hold it for a while,” Swinnen mentioned of his cost, who’s No. 118 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. “Don’t get too caught up in making an attempt to get factors or suppose an excessive amount of about factors, attempt to hold engaged on the issues you need to enhance on courtroom after which all of the stuff will come mechanically.”
Photograph Credit score: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Swinnen is lots accustomed to younger Swiss gamers with huge prospects. The previous College of Oregon student-athlete grew up with Roger Federer.
“We’ll at all times say a bit of bit the identical to the younger youngsters,” Swinnen mentioned. “Everyone goes his personal path, deal with that, deal with bettering and it’s simply nice to have someone like Roger that now we have in Switzerland. That will even inspire them perhaps to play.
“They get to know him, additionally. Dominic performed a few instances with him, in order that was additionally good.”
In 2021, Stricker relayed to the media a narrative about how throughout their coaching collectively, Federer mentioned the significance of the serve together with his youthful countryman. That shot has change into considered one of Stricker’s largest weapons.
In keeping with Swinnen, it has been necessary to proceed creating that energy.
“Generally you wish to hold making an attempt to enhance the weaknesses, however I additionally prefer to put deal with his strengths. Hold bettering his serve,” Swinnen mentioned. “He’s serving already fairly good, that’s an enormous weapon of his, his serve, for his peak. Hold bettering on these after which there are many issues he can enhance on.”
Judging by the top of 2022, followers will more and more change into accustomed to that shot, too. In Milan, Stricker confirmed no concern of an enormous stage on the Allianz Cloud. Swinner added that alternatives like that can solely assist his participant develop.
“Everyone’s dreaming about these levels, these huge tournaments. That’s why you practise. That’s what all of the younger youngsters dream about, to play these huge occasions,” Swinnen mentioned. “Out of the blue if you happen to get nearer, you actually wish to attempt to get there. I hope he retains his focus, retains practising exhausting and hopefully he can play increasingly of these occasions.”
from Tennis – ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/a5ovT3m
