Daniel Altmaier (photo ATP Monaco)
Daniel Altmaier he is convinced that many Challengers are now at a level and spectacle almost equal to various ATP 250 tournaments, and this should push the ATP to enhance them more, thus creating greater value both for the players and for the tournaments themselves. Furthermore, he reflects on how the physical part has become so predominant that players are forced to spend more time training physically than playing. Kempen’s class of ’98 expressed these and other very interesting concepts in an interview given to Fernando Murciego of Puntodebreak on the side of the 1000 of Madrid, of which we report the most interesting passages.
“The difference between a top25 versus a top50 is only in consistency. Players in the top 30 are more consistent than those in the top 50, but this difference is only due to a couple more tournaments that manage to play at the highest level during the year. In 2023 I achieved good results in 7-8 tournaments, the difference compared to the top 10 is that they do the same but in 13-14 tournaments. You have to follow these steps if you want to get to the top, tennis in theory is so easy but it becomes very difficult to reach that level of consistency.”
“I like Madrid. The first time I was here it was on holiday with my girlfriend, from that moment on I have very fond memories of this city, of the days spent here. Last year I played the tournament for the first time and I think those memories helped me, even though I really like the conditions of the course. Everything seems more familiar to me, I meet many more people, I have good Mexican friends here in Madrid. The time spent having fun off the court helps me feel better when I play.”
Here is the interesting consideration about the Challengers: “The difference between Challenger and ATP by level of play is minimal. We see this, for example, in some young people who start the year competing in Challengers and, suddenly, in a very short space of time, appear in the top50. Diaz Acosta? Darderi? There are several who are already very involved because they have a very high level. Everything has changed, the physique matters more than tennis. Nowadays we all spend more time in the gym than on the tennis court, the kids are prepared to play every week and to do it at a high level. The result of this whole process is an increase in average level, you can see it from how the best in the Challengers don’t struggle in the ATPs, on the contrary. Precisely for this reason the Challengers deserve further attention. There is a different story on the circuit each week, but it is difficult for the public to discover when the Challengers are played in small towns. I think we should also have access to this information to know what happens in those places. It’s a shame, the ATP should realize that the Challengers are also a good product, even if they are improving a lot with the social issue now. I feel like we’re getting better and better, It’s true that this circuit has much more potential than people are getting“.
An adequate and coherent reflection. In recent years there have been many tennis players who, after having shone for a season (or even just half) in the Challengers, have successfully landed at ATP level, achieving great satisfaction. We can mention the Argentines Baez and Etcheverry, like Marozsan, Tabilo or Kotov. Among the many avenues of the possible revolution of the ATP calendar and season, a better distribution and valorisation of the Challenger and 250 categories would also be desirable, while the focus seems to be centered almost exclusively on the “famous” 10 major events to accompany the Slams…
Marco Mazzoni
