Nico Langmann
“The biggest day of my sporting career!”
Wheelchair tennis player Nico Langmann celebrated an opening victory at Roland Garros, defeating South Korean Han Sung-bong 6:2, 0:6, 6:2 in front of his large fan club - and celebrated his first victory at his third Paralympic Games: "I've been working towards this my whole career!"
The "Krone" reports from Paris
The spectators jumped out of their seats, Nico Langmann threw his racket away in disbelief and let himself be duly celebrated - it's done! In his third attempt, the 27-year-old Viennese celebrated his first victory at the Paralympic Games, beating South Korean Han Sung-bong 6:2, 0:6, 6:2 in round one on court ten of the historic tennis facility at Roland Garros. "This is the biggest day in my sporting career, I've been working towards this for years - it's incredible, it means everything to me."
His fan club, around 50 people consisting of family, friends and acquaintances who had flown to Paris, fell around Langmann's neck dressed in white "Team Nico" shirts and created an impressive atmosphere during the match. "It was a Davis Cup atmosphere," laughed Langmann. "It's so nice to be able to share this moment with all these people."
Uphill and downhill
After a match that was a rollercoaster ride for Langmann. He was 3:1 ahead at the start and was not deterred by a rain interruption that lasted around three hours - the first set went to the Viennese player 6:2. But then the thread suddenly broke. "I wanted to step up a gear, but that went wrong," said Langmann. He made too many mistakes and lost set two 0:6. He finally found his rhythm again in set three, converting his first match point after 1:24 hours.
Langmann will now face Dutchman Maikel Scheffers, former world number one and seeded 15th in Paris, in the second round on Sunday. "I know him well and have played against him several times. I've never won, but it was close. Of the seeds, he is certainly an opponent against whom something could be possible. I certainly played a few balls today that hurt him," said the Viennese, who will celebrate the day on Friday evening with a trip to Austria House and a toast with his closest friends. But it will be non-alcoholic! "I'll do without the beer - after all, I've really arrived in the tournament now."
Riegler fails early
Austria's second representative in the singles, Josef Riegler, was eliminated in the first round. The 49-year-old lost to Suresh Dharmasena from Sri Lanka 1:6, 3:6. "I'm bitterly disappointed, much more would have been possible," said Riegler after his last singles match of his career at the Paralympic Games. He and Langmann are still competing in the doubles, after a walk-through at the start, the second round will take place on Sunday.
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