ÖTV head of sport Melzer:

“Joel’s build-up phase was extremely important”

ÖTV Sports Director Jürgen Melzer spoke to the "Krone" newspaper about the pleasing development of future hopeful Joel Schwärzler. The 18-year-old from Vorarlberg is getting better and better on his American tour, where he is playing his first Challenger tournaments.

"He's only recently started playing Challengers and is already winning matches," says ÖTV Sports Director Jürgen Melzer, delighted with the latest strong results of his protégé Joel Schwärzler, who is currently playing his first tournaments on the Challenger Tour in the USA.

And the good transition from junior to men's tennis was no accident for the ÖTV talent, his coach knows. "The slow build-up phase in winter was important, a very good foundation stone. We did a lot of things right," says Melzer.

Joel Schwärzler won the title at the ITF Juniors Finals in Chengdu (China).(Bild: LIN JIAN MING)

Schwärzler is now benefiting from the right preparation and has climbed into the top 800 of the world rankings in no time at all. But that is by no means the end of the story. "Joel shows that he is already playing much better tennis than his ATP ranking currently - I say still - indicates," explains Melzer. "But there's still a long way to go before he gets to where he belongs."

Only possible with 100 percent
And the 18-year-old youngster must also want to go down this path. Because there is still room for improvement in all areas, says his coach. "Especially the intensity in training and games. At junior level, 80 percent is often enough if you're good. With the men, you always have to be 100 percent on the pitch. Joel has to get there. It took me two years to make this transition," recalls the ex-professional, "it was quick, but it wasn't easy. I hope things go as well for Joel as they did for me back then."