1 00:00:02,420 --> 00:00:05,140 Speaker 1: Hi, everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Sit Down. 2 00:00:05,460 --> 00:00:07,500 Speaker 1: I'm Matt Froelope, a writer for ozopen.com. 3 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:10,600 Speaker 2: And I'm Viv Christie, managing editor of Australian Tennis Magazine. 4 00:00:10,940 --> 00:00:13,220 Speaker 1: And Viv, why are we this week sitting down with 5 00:00:13,340 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 1: Torben Belt? 6 00:00:14,460 --> 00:00:17,060 Speaker 2: We're sitting down with Torben this week because he is 7 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:20,470 Speaker 2: quite a prominent figure in tennis in Germany, and all 8 00:00:20,570 --> 00:00:23,030 Speaker 2: eyes will be on tennis in Germany this week when 9 00:00:23,070 --> 00:00:26,049 Speaker 2: the Lever Cup is played in Berlin. Torben is the 10 00:00:26,090 --> 00:00:28,850 Speaker 2: former coach of Angelique Kerber. He talks about his long 11 00:00:29,190 --> 00:00:32,850 Speaker 2: partnership with her and... why tennis is having a resurgence 12 00:00:32,909 --> 00:00:33,629 Speaker 2: in Germany right now. 13 00:00:34,010 --> 00:00:36,300 Speaker 1: And he also guided Germany to the United Cup title 14 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:38,280 Speaker 1: this year, which is another reason he's so esteemed in 15 00:00:38,340 --> 00:00:40,660 Speaker 1: his country. You were lucky enough to do this interview 16 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 1: with Torben. I didn't join for it. So I'm really 17 00:00:42,620 --> 00:00:43,659 Speaker 1: looking forward to listening now. 18 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:49,830 Speaker 2: Torben, thank you for your time today and thank you 19 00:00:49,870 --> 00:00:52,589 Speaker 2: for joining us on The Sit Down. It's a pleasure 20 00:00:52,610 --> 00:00:55,270 Speaker 2: to be talking to you. Perhaps we could start from 21 00:00:55,510 --> 00:00:57,550 Speaker 2: the beginning and you could tell us about your start 22 00:00:57,610 --> 00:00:58,050 Speaker 2: in tennis. 23 00:00:58,710 --> 00:01:01,550 Speaker 3: Yes, I was good, yes. I was a tennis player 24 00:01:01,570 --> 00:01:03,590 Speaker 3: when I was young. I started at a young age 25 00:01:03,630 --> 00:01:06,710 Speaker 3: when I was six, seven years old. That's a long 26 00:01:06,750 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 3: time ago now because I'm 47 now. So, yes, I 27 00:01:11,260 --> 00:01:14,180 Speaker 3: started by tennis. I was a very active player when 28 00:01:14,220 --> 00:01:16,959 Speaker 3: I was young. I was a good German player when 29 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 3: I grew up. I played in Germany Bundesliga. I went 30 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:24,430 Speaker 3: to the USA to study. So I got my scholarship 31 00:01:24,790 --> 00:01:28,730 Speaker 3: to play college tennis when I was around after my 32 00:01:28,790 --> 00:01:31,490 Speaker 3: school in Germany when I was 18, 19. I went 33 00:01:31,530 --> 00:01:35,009 Speaker 3: for two years to America, to South Carolina to study 34 00:01:35,069 --> 00:01:37,530 Speaker 3: and to play tennis. And yeah, that was my growing up. 35 00:01:37,670 --> 00:01:41,260 Speaker 3: And then after I couldn't make it on the big 36 00:01:41,300 --> 00:01:44,660 Speaker 3: tour myself, then I started to coach. So I started 37 00:01:44,700 --> 00:01:50,330 Speaker 3: to coach in Germany with some club tennis coaching. Then 38 00:01:50,730 --> 00:01:53,870 Speaker 3: I came actually when Angie was 16 years old or 39 00:01:53,870 --> 00:01:58,230 Speaker 3: 17 years old. Angie Kerber was looking for a travel coach. 40 00:01:59,350 --> 00:02:02,570 Speaker 3: So she was still playing ITF Junior Grand Slams and 41 00:02:02,610 --> 00:02:06,810 Speaker 3: she was looking for a coach. So the coaches from her, 42 00:02:06,870 --> 00:02:10,210 Speaker 3: they asked me if I want to be the travel 43 00:02:10,250 --> 00:02:13,590 Speaker 3: coach and the hitting partner at that time. So I 44 00:02:13,620 --> 00:02:15,060 Speaker 3: started to work with Angie when she was 16, 17. 45 00:02:15,060 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 3: And also my first long trip was also to australia 46 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 3: so um yeah yeah that was she was playing itf 47 00:02:24,220 --> 00:02:27,359 Speaker 3: juniors so we played the itf junior tour we played 48 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:32,079 Speaker 3: uh tarragon i think it's the name so we went 49 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:35,580 Speaker 3: there and yeah and we played the australian open juniors 50 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:37,700 Speaker 3: yeah that was really fun really fun. 51 00:02:37,540 --> 00:02:39,739 Speaker 2: Time wow so that must have. 52 00:02:39,660 --> 00:02:41,679 Speaker 3: Been a long time ago so a long time ago so. 53 00:02:41,940 --> 00:02:45,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, a long time ago, but created such amazing memories 54 00:02:45,180 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 2: and an amazing career. I mean, that must have been 55 00:02:47,780 --> 00:02:51,420 Speaker 2: quite an experience for you going from Germany to US 56 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:52,420 Speaker 2: college tennis. 57 00:02:52,940 --> 00:02:56,080 Speaker 3: Yes, that was for me. And I think this is 58 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:58,740 Speaker 3: for many German players, you know, if they're playing good 59 00:02:58,820 --> 00:03:01,960 Speaker 3: German level tennis, you know, it's a good step to 60 00:03:02,620 --> 00:03:05,520 Speaker 3: still do your education, but also to still work on 61 00:03:05,540 --> 00:03:07,400 Speaker 3: your tennis career and to try to make it to 62 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:10,260 Speaker 3: the professional level. So that was a good, I think 63 00:03:10,300 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 3: it's a good experience It's a good thing for people 64 00:03:14,060 --> 00:03:18,630 Speaker 3: from Germany or from Europe try to combine the education 65 00:03:18,730 --> 00:03:20,610 Speaker 3: and the tennis. So that was also for me was 66 00:03:20,650 --> 00:03:23,190 Speaker 3: a good thing. And also I was okay. I was 67 00:03:23,210 --> 00:03:26,690 Speaker 3: an okay German player in the US. I really got 68 00:03:26,730 --> 00:03:28,750 Speaker 3: lucky because I had a really nice college. I had 69 00:03:28,770 --> 00:03:31,829 Speaker 3: a really good coach and I really improved my tennis 70 00:03:32,389 --> 00:03:35,610 Speaker 3: in America. So I was really lucky to go to America. 71 00:03:35,630 --> 00:03:36,210 Speaker 3: It was nice. 72 00:03:36,810 --> 00:03:39,980 Speaker 2: And you had, you mentioned earlier, you, and you was 73 00:03:40,020 --> 00:03:42,970 Speaker 2: only 16 or 17 when you first started working together, 74 00:03:43,430 --> 00:03:47,070 Speaker 2: you had such longevity together. I think it was almost 75 00:03:47,070 --> 00:03:49,230 Speaker 2: 20 years that you'd worked together in the end. What 76 00:03:49,490 --> 00:03:51,550 Speaker 2: was the secret to that long relationship? 77 00:03:52,050 --> 00:03:54,590 Speaker 3: No, I think, yes, I think we had a really 78 00:03:54,620 --> 00:03:57,100 Speaker 3: good time. So we started when she was 16 or 79 00:03:57,100 --> 00:04:00,840 Speaker 3: 17 years old. So that was really great. So we 80 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:03,060 Speaker 3: had a good start. And then, you know, and also 81 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:05,780 Speaker 3: like we didn't work for 19 or 20 years almost together, 82 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:07,620 Speaker 3: but we didn't work the whole time. We had, I think, 83 00:04:08,130 --> 00:04:10,230 Speaker 3: We started all over. I'm not sure if we started 84 00:04:10,290 --> 00:04:13,450 Speaker 3: four or five times. So it was really like an 85 00:04:13,530 --> 00:04:17,260 Speaker 3: on and off relationship. But yeah, but I was really 86 00:04:17,300 --> 00:04:19,480 Speaker 3: happy to be with her when she had her big 87 00:04:19,540 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 3: year 2016, when she was winning everything, also Australian Open. 88 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:26,339 Speaker 3: And yeah, I think for me, it was just, it 89 00:04:26,380 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 3: was a great, it was great to be part of 90 00:04:29,120 --> 00:04:31,130 Speaker 3: that journey, I would say. It was great to be 91 00:04:31,150 --> 00:04:33,870 Speaker 3: there at the start when she started to go to 92 00:04:33,910 --> 00:04:37,260 Speaker 3: play football. grand slam junior tournaments when she was 16 93 00:04:37,260 --> 00:04:39,370 Speaker 3: 17 and now it was great to see her finishing 94 00:04:39,830 --> 00:04:42,410 Speaker 3: like she did in paris at the olympics with a 95 00:04:42,450 --> 00:04:45,510 Speaker 3: really high level of tennis and really competing really really 96 00:04:45,550 --> 00:04:47,510 Speaker 3: hard and it was really fun for me to be 97 00:04:47,570 --> 00:04:51,450 Speaker 3: part of that like storyline um was really great and 98 00:04:51,500 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 3: for sure in the you know in the 20 years 99 00:04:54,180 --> 00:04:57,280 Speaker 3: it's not always always nice and always good we also 100 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:00,660 Speaker 3: had our tough tough path and also like uh you 101 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:04,800 Speaker 3: know like Kind of difficult times. Yeah. But when I 102 00:05:04,839 --> 00:05:06,880 Speaker 3: look back, I really think only about the good times 103 00:05:06,900 --> 00:05:09,779 Speaker 3: we had. I think it was a great, great journey. 104 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 2: How emotional was it when she wound up her career 105 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:14,920 Speaker 2: at the Paris Olympics recently? 106 00:05:15,339 --> 00:05:17,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, for sure. That was very emotional. She told me 107 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:21,100 Speaker 3: like a week before we were practicing in Poland. And 108 00:05:21,220 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 3: there she told me, hey, Torben, I'm thinking about stopping 109 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:27,940 Speaker 3: after Paris. And I was like, yeah, that's a good idea. 110 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:30,310 Speaker 3: And now when I look back, I think it was 111 00:05:30,500 --> 00:05:34,150 Speaker 3: really perfect. It was the perfect ending for her. It 112 00:05:34,190 --> 00:05:38,250 Speaker 3: was really because she was playing at a great level. 113 00:05:39,130 --> 00:05:44,460 Speaker 3: She was beating great players. She lost against like heartbreaking 6th, 114 00:05:44,860 --> 00:05:47,780 Speaker 3: 7th and 3rd set against Quinn Wen who won the 115 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 3: gold medal. So it was really like it was that 116 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:54,000 Speaker 3: like kind of the sherry of the cake. It was 117 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 3: really great. And also like the response she got after 118 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:02,060 Speaker 3: it from the German fans, from from the crowd. Also, 119 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:06,810 Speaker 3: I mean, she never played that well in Paris. It 120 00:06:06,830 --> 00:06:13,210 Speaker 3: was not her favorite tournament in Paris-Royal-Grosse, but she fell 121 00:06:13,250 --> 00:06:15,600 Speaker 3: in love now. She fell in love now, very late, 122 00:06:15,630 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 3: but she was playing at such a good level on 123 00:06:19,260 --> 00:06:22,219 Speaker 3: the clay court. For me as a coach, it was 124 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:24,719 Speaker 3: great to see that she could finish like this, I think. 125 00:06:25,770 --> 00:06:29,429 Speaker 2: In your coaching career, you have also coached Emma Raducanu, 126 00:06:29,670 --> 00:06:34,599 Speaker 2: Annette Conteve and Donna Vekic. How do you approach different 127 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 2: playing styles and different personalities? 128 00:06:38,580 --> 00:06:41,700 Speaker 3: That's a good question because I really think that every 129 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:47,740 Speaker 3: player needs kind of a different approach. I think Angie 130 00:06:47,760 --> 00:06:50,279 Speaker 3: is really different to Emma or to Donna. So I 131 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 3: think every player, as a coach for me, you have 132 00:06:52,460 --> 00:06:55,620 Speaker 3: to really try to to figure out and kind of 133 00:06:55,660 --> 00:06:59,750 Speaker 3: to see what she needs from you. You know, like 134 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:02,350 Speaker 3: some players, they need more the technique side. Some players, 135 00:07:02,370 --> 00:07:05,750 Speaker 3: they need more the technical side, you know, and some 136 00:07:05,790 --> 00:07:08,170 Speaker 3: players want to hang out more and do like dinners 137 00:07:08,190 --> 00:07:11,670 Speaker 3: together or like doing some games together. Some players really 138 00:07:11,710 --> 00:07:14,810 Speaker 3: like only want you on the tennis court with like 139 00:07:14,870 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 3: fully focused. So it's really, I think that's also the 140 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:22,860 Speaker 3: tricky part, but also the part what I like about coaching. 141 00:07:22,900 --> 00:07:27,810 Speaker 3: It's never... It's never like a 9-to-5 job. It's really 142 00:07:27,870 --> 00:07:31,710 Speaker 3: like you have to be ready for changes. You have 143 00:07:31,750 --> 00:07:35,450 Speaker 3: to adapt a little bit with different personalities and different 144 00:07:36,230 --> 00:07:39,680 Speaker 3: asks from the players. So I really think that makes 145 00:07:39,810 --> 00:07:42,220 Speaker 3: the job as a coach really interesting and really exciting. 146 00:07:42,940 --> 00:07:46,640 Speaker 2: For sure. Your experiences as a coach have been mostly 147 00:07:46,700 --> 00:07:50,380 Speaker 2: on the WTA tour, as I understand it. What are 148 00:07:50,420 --> 00:07:54,540 Speaker 2: the nuances in coaching coaching female players compared to male players, 149 00:07:54,580 --> 00:07:55,060 Speaker 2: do you think? 150 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:58,260 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, that's for me tough to answer because 151 00:07:58,340 --> 00:08:02,430 Speaker 3: I always coached the female side, not the male side. 152 00:08:03,050 --> 00:08:05,730 Speaker 3: I had the smallest players at the United Cup to 153 00:08:05,770 --> 00:08:09,330 Speaker 3: be part of those men's matches, which was really great 154 00:08:09,430 --> 00:08:13,630 Speaker 3: to watch Sasha Sverev from so close and playing against 155 00:08:14,050 --> 00:08:18,690 Speaker 3: top ATP players like Tsitsipas and Alex from Australia. It 156 00:08:18,930 --> 00:08:23,130 Speaker 3: was really great, but I'm not sure if there's a 157 00:08:23,310 --> 00:08:28,370 Speaker 3: big difference. I think, like I just said, that you 158 00:08:28,390 --> 00:08:31,380 Speaker 3: have to be really trying to figure out, especially in 159 00:08:31,390 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 3: the beginning, what the player needs. I think that's on 160 00:08:35,059 --> 00:08:37,840 Speaker 3: the men's side. I think it's kind of the same thing. 161 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:40,460 Speaker 3: I think you cannot say you have to do this 162 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:42,140 Speaker 3: for a man player and you have to do this 163 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:44,980 Speaker 3: for a female player. I think it's really about the 164 00:08:45,020 --> 00:08:48,190 Speaker 3: personality and about the player, I think. I would say 165 00:08:48,270 --> 00:08:51,010 Speaker 3: it's not, I mean, the game is a little bit different, yes, 166 00:08:51,050 --> 00:08:53,910 Speaker 3: but I think you have to try, for me as 167 00:08:53,950 --> 00:08:55,670 Speaker 3: a coach, you have to try to figure out, hey, 168 00:08:55,960 --> 00:08:58,400 Speaker 3: what does the man or the woman need to get 169 00:08:58,460 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 3: better every day? And what does they want in every 170 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:06,439 Speaker 3: day's kind of practice and every day kind of practice sessions? 171 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:08,610 Speaker 3: You know, I think for me, there's not a big 172 00:09:08,630 --> 00:09:11,510 Speaker 3: difference in coaching men or women, but this I can 173 00:09:11,590 --> 00:09:13,970 Speaker 3: only say because I never coached a man. Yeah. 174 00:09:14,710 --> 00:09:17,390 Speaker 2: You touched on the United Cup. That was your first 175 00:09:17,490 --> 00:09:21,770 Speaker 2: experience of captaining a team for Germany. How did you 176 00:09:21,850 --> 00:09:23,050 Speaker 2: approach that responsibility? 177 00:09:23,070 --> 00:09:25,449 Speaker 3: I think that was for me also, that was a 178 00:09:25,490 --> 00:09:29,150 Speaker 3: really great experience. It was great for me to be 179 00:09:29,270 --> 00:09:35,030 Speaker 3: responsible for the team of Germany. I was also very 180 00:09:35,050 --> 00:09:38,599 Speaker 3: lucky because the team was really great. They played the 181 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 3: year before, 2023. They also played almost the same team. 182 00:09:43,010 --> 00:09:45,160 Speaker 3: same team, but they did not play very well. I 183 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:47,819 Speaker 3: think they lost. I don't know. I'm not sure. I 184 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:51,380 Speaker 3: think how they played. But this year, I mean, the 185 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:54,930 Speaker 3: winning makes it more easy to have a good feeling 186 00:09:54,990 --> 00:09:58,780 Speaker 3: and to have good atmosphere in the team. So, yeah, 187 00:09:58,860 --> 00:09:59,780 Speaker 3: so we had a really good time. 188 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:02,740 Speaker 2: Was that a career highlight when Germany went on to 189 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 2: win the title? 190 00:10:04,020 --> 00:10:08,000 Speaker 3: For sure, for me, it was a highlight, for sure, yes. 191 00:10:08,490 --> 00:10:11,970 Speaker 3: I mean, also the Grand Slam tournaments, which Angie won, 192 00:10:12,070 --> 00:10:16,010 Speaker 3: we together, like 2016, Australian Open and US Open, that 193 00:10:16,030 --> 00:10:20,660 Speaker 3: was also a big highlight for me. But, um, But 194 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:23,980 Speaker 3: the United Cup is always on the same level because 195 00:10:24,020 --> 00:10:26,300 Speaker 3: we had every day, we had like a team thing together. 196 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 3: We were playing games together. We had dinner together. And yeah, 197 00:10:29,300 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 3: it was just a great, great thing. 198 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:34,140 Speaker 2: It sounds like the United Cup is an event that 199 00:10:34,230 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 2: you really enjoy. 200 00:10:35,850 --> 00:10:37,290 Speaker 3: Yes, for sure. I really liked it. I think it's 201 00:10:37,330 --> 00:10:40,730 Speaker 3: a good way to begin the start of the year. 202 00:10:41,790 --> 00:10:43,410 Speaker 3: I think it's really great also for the players. They 203 00:10:43,429 --> 00:10:45,689 Speaker 3: get a lot of matches in. I think it was good. 204 00:10:45,910 --> 00:10:46,470 Speaker 3: It was good for us. 205 00:10:47,110 --> 00:10:49,020 Speaker 2: And combining the men and the women, how do you... 206 00:10:50,070 --> 00:10:51,030 Speaker 2: Do you enjoy that format? 207 00:10:51,490 --> 00:10:53,290 Speaker 3: Yes, for sure. For sure. I also like this. You know, 208 00:10:53,309 --> 00:10:56,110 Speaker 3: I think it's also great to have like some practice 209 00:10:56,130 --> 00:10:59,030 Speaker 3: together with the women. It's great. I think we had, 210 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,960 Speaker 3: I think Germany, we had, I just can, can, yeah, 211 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 3: I just can say it from the, from the part 212 00:11:04,820 --> 00:11:06,520 Speaker 3: of Germany. I think we had a really good time 213 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:09,059 Speaker 3: together and I really, I think all the players in 214 00:11:09,100 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 3: the team, they had a good start of the year 215 00:11:10,780 --> 00:11:12,459 Speaker 3: and they were very happy. Sure. 216 00:11:13,179 --> 00:11:16,480 Speaker 2: I'd like to, to chat to you now about German tennis. Um, 217 00:11:17,030 --> 00:11:19,530 Speaker 2: So there are so many role models in German tennis. 218 00:11:19,550 --> 00:11:22,350 Speaker 2: There's so many Grand Slam champions, former world number ones. 219 00:11:23,130 --> 00:11:27,380 Speaker 2: What role do you think Steffi Graf and Boris Becker 220 00:11:27,500 --> 00:11:30,860 Speaker 2: and Michael Stick, you know, play in that? 221 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:33,220 Speaker 3: No, I think they have a big role in this. 222 00:11:33,300 --> 00:11:35,780 Speaker 3: I think a really big role. I mean, it was 223 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:38,280 Speaker 3: kind of my time growing up also a little bit 224 00:11:38,340 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 3: and also for NGT. So I think for a nation, 225 00:11:42,300 --> 00:11:45,739 Speaker 3: it's very important to have good players as a role 226 00:11:45,780 --> 00:11:48,740 Speaker 3: model for the younger kids to see, hey, if you 227 00:11:48,780 --> 00:11:51,270 Speaker 3: work hard, you know, you can reach. We can see 228 00:11:51,309 --> 00:11:55,689 Speaker 3: now also like Italy is kind of booming, the Italian tennis, 229 00:11:55,730 --> 00:11:59,150 Speaker 3: because they have Yannick Sinner and Jasmine Paolini now in 230 00:11:59,190 --> 00:12:01,829 Speaker 3: the top of tennis because I think you can see 231 00:12:01,850 --> 00:12:04,770 Speaker 3: this also right now is happening to Italy because everybody 232 00:12:04,790 --> 00:12:07,460 Speaker 3: is saying Italian tennis is so great right now because 233 00:12:07,500 --> 00:12:10,330 Speaker 3: they have these kind of role models and And I mean, 234 00:12:10,390 --> 00:12:12,470 Speaker 3: for us in Germany, I think there was a really 235 00:12:12,530 --> 00:12:15,970 Speaker 3: special time to have Steffi and Boris and they were 236 00:12:15,990 --> 00:12:20,390 Speaker 3: like so outstanding, good players. And all people started to 237 00:12:20,429 --> 00:12:22,380 Speaker 3: play and to start to play tennis. You know, they 238 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:24,820 Speaker 3: start to play in their backyards. They start to play 239 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:27,380 Speaker 3: in the parking lots. You know, they start to play 240 00:12:27,420 --> 00:12:31,220 Speaker 3: in the German clubs. They were really booming. And I 241 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 3: think there was a really good, it was a really 242 00:12:33,140 --> 00:12:35,850 Speaker 3: good time for us. And also like, and then also like, 243 00:12:35,900 --> 00:12:39,229 Speaker 3: like the girls and boys who came after Steffi and Boris, like, 244 00:12:39,700 --> 00:12:44,300 Speaker 3: We had like Angie and Andrea Petkovic and Julia Gerges. 245 00:12:44,320 --> 00:12:47,780 Speaker 3: You know, we have so many good players who try. 246 00:12:47,820 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 3: And it was also like a big ask for them 247 00:12:50,940 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 3: because every time when they were playing great, it was like, hey, 248 00:12:53,980 --> 00:12:56,179 Speaker 3: this is the new Steffi. This is the new Steffi 249 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:58,579 Speaker 3: Graf coming now. So it was also, I think, not 250 00:12:58,700 --> 00:13:01,469 Speaker 3: easy to grow up like right after kind of Steffi. 251 00:13:03,530 --> 00:13:06,320 Speaker 3: But what we could see is, I think it's, it 252 00:13:06,360 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 3: motivates the players. It's really, really motivating. And they really 253 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:12,110 Speaker 3: try to, to, to get on this level, which is 254 00:13:12,150 --> 00:13:15,230 Speaker 3: really tough because she won everything. But, but I think it's, 255 00:13:15,429 --> 00:13:18,390 Speaker 3: it's for, for tennis in the nation. I think it's 256 00:13:18,429 --> 00:13:20,850 Speaker 3: very important to have like role models, like, like we 257 00:13:20,890 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 3: had in the, at the time with, with, with Steffi 258 00:13:23,860 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 3: and Boris. 259 00:13:24,780 --> 00:13:26,740 Speaker 2: Who were your role models when you were growing up? 260 00:13:27,559 --> 00:13:30,620 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, for sure, for sure. Steffi and Boris 261 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 3: was a big part of that. And I also like, 262 00:13:32,300 --> 00:13:36,030 Speaker 3: I mean, for me, I, I always liked the, Andrew Agassi, 263 00:13:36,110 --> 00:13:38,809 Speaker 3: Pete Sampras, you know, like this kind of players. That 264 00:13:38,950 --> 00:13:40,790 Speaker 3: was kind of my time, who I watched a lot 265 00:13:40,809 --> 00:13:44,010 Speaker 3: on tennis and who were playing just good tennis. So yeah, 266 00:13:44,190 --> 00:13:46,250 Speaker 3: I think these kind of players I looked up to. 267 00:13:46,650 --> 00:13:50,900 Speaker 2: Yeah. As I understand it, tennis is hugely popular in Germany. 268 00:13:51,140 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 2: From what I've read and understood, I think it's the 269 00:13:54,340 --> 00:13:58,180 Speaker 2: third most popular sport in your nation. What do you 270 00:13:58,220 --> 00:13:59,980 Speaker 2: think is the reason for that success? 271 00:14:00,660 --> 00:14:03,360 Speaker 3: I mean, yes. Yes, I think, I mean, I think 272 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:05,819 Speaker 3: for sure the reason is that we always had good 273 00:14:05,860 --> 00:14:09,559 Speaker 3: players in the club. We have Sascha now, you know, 274 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 3: which is great for us. And we always had Angie 275 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:14,800 Speaker 3: and we always had good players here. I think this, 276 00:14:15,380 --> 00:14:18,990 Speaker 3: if you are the newest in Germany, with like sports 277 00:14:19,540 --> 00:14:23,290 Speaker 3: results and good results, I think then that helps, you know. 278 00:14:23,310 --> 00:14:25,730 Speaker 3: I mean, we can never be as big as football. 279 00:14:25,870 --> 00:14:30,930 Speaker 3: In Germany, soccer is number one, you know. But I 280 00:14:30,970 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 3: think tennis is right there, you know. So... And it's 281 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:36,400 Speaker 3: easy access also because we have so many tennis clubs. 282 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:36,780 Speaker 2: Yes. 283 00:14:36,980 --> 00:14:41,930 Speaker 3: Thanks to the thing we just talked about, about Steffi 284 00:14:41,950 --> 00:14:44,930 Speaker 3: and Boris. Thanks to that time, we have so many 285 00:14:44,970 --> 00:14:47,470 Speaker 3: tennis clubs right now. I think in Germany also we 286 00:14:47,490 --> 00:14:53,520 Speaker 3: have a good club tennis level also. When you start, 287 00:14:53,540 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 3: when you are seven or eight years old, you can 288 00:14:56,540 --> 00:15:00,010 Speaker 3: start to play club matches against other players. I think 289 00:15:00,090 --> 00:15:03,770 Speaker 3: this also helps. And, yeah, I think we have good coaches. 290 00:15:03,850 --> 00:15:07,150 Speaker 3: I think we have good club tennis. I think this 291 00:15:07,230 --> 00:15:09,150 Speaker 3: makes the sport really popular in Germany. 292 00:15:09,750 --> 00:15:12,729 Speaker 2: There seems to be a lot of professional tournaments in Germany. 293 00:15:12,790 --> 00:15:15,810 Speaker 2: You've got, you know, Halle, Stuttgart. There's so many different 294 00:15:15,990 --> 00:15:17,470 Speaker 2: cities have professional tournaments. 295 00:15:18,010 --> 00:15:19,670 Speaker 3: I think also it helps. Yes, for sure it helps. 296 00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 3: So we have many, like, top events, you know, like 297 00:15:23,620 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 3: you just said, like Stuttgart. But we also have many, like, 298 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:28,640 Speaker 3: Junior tournaments, you know, we have many junior tournaments on 299 00:15:28,660 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 3: the high level. We also have, like, every weekend, if 300 00:15:32,460 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 3: you're a club player, you can, like, at every weekend, 301 00:15:34,700 --> 00:15:38,040 Speaker 3: you can play, like, a kind of tournament, you know. 302 00:15:38,060 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 3: So I think this really helps and it's really good 303 00:15:40,540 --> 00:15:41,420 Speaker 3: for the German tennis. 304 00:15:42,220 --> 00:15:45,260 Speaker 2: How much excitement do you think the Lever Cup will generate? 305 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:47,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's going to be, this is going 306 00:15:47,020 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 3: to be a big event. It's going to be a 307 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:51,359 Speaker 3: big event that's coming to Berlin. I am in Berlin 308 00:15:51,380 --> 00:15:55,900 Speaker 3: right now, so I see some signs on the walls already, 309 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:59,580 Speaker 3: so it's good. Yes, I think it's going to be 310 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:01,700 Speaker 3: a great event. The Labour Cup, I always watch it 311 00:16:01,740 --> 00:16:04,570 Speaker 3: on TV. Maybe now it's coming to Berlin. Maybe I 312 00:16:04,590 --> 00:16:06,250 Speaker 3: have a chance to go to see it live. I'm 313 00:16:06,290 --> 00:16:10,050 Speaker 3: not sure yet if I'm around. But I think everybody 314 00:16:10,090 --> 00:16:12,530 Speaker 3: in Germany is very excited to have the Labour Cup 315 00:16:12,630 --> 00:16:14,470 Speaker 3: in Berlin and in Germany. 316 00:16:15,140 --> 00:16:18,040 Speaker 2: You mentioned Sascha Zverev earlier. Who are some of the 317 00:16:18,080 --> 00:16:20,530 Speaker 2: other German players that we should be looking out for? 318 00:16:20,950 --> 00:16:24,070 Speaker 3: I mean, we have, that's a tough question because I 319 00:16:24,110 --> 00:16:28,350 Speaker 3: don't want to miss anybody. We have many good players here, 320 00:16:28,370 --> 00:16:32,960 Speaker 3: like Sascha is number one now, like Jelena Strof, you know, 321 00:16:32,980 --> 00:16:35,340 Speaker 3: he's playing very good. I think, I'm not sure if 322 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 3: he's also at the Leverkamp. I think he's also, I 323 00:16:37,460 --> 00:16:39,620 Speaker 3: think he's nominated also. So yeah, so he is a 324 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:42,560 Speaker 3: great guy. He just won in Munich. He won a 325 00:16:42,580 --> 00:16:46,450 Speaker 3: big tournament that was really great for him. And, yeah, 326 00:16:46,470 --> 00:16:49,730 Speaker 3: so you have to look out for him. Yeah, but 327 00:16:49,750 --> 00:16:52,360 Speaker 3: we have so many good players in Germany, like Dominik 328 00:16:52,380 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 3: Köpfer is coming back. Our doubles team, Kevin Kravitz, Tim Pürs, 329 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:59,380 Speaker 3: you know, they are great guys and great players. On 330 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:03,100 Speaker 3: the female side, we have many young players coming up also. Yeah, 331 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:06,180 Speaker 3: there are a lot of good players coming up. So, yeah, 332 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:09,280 Speaker 3: I think German tennis can be very exciting and to 333 00:17:09,320 --> 00:17:11,460 Speaker 3: look forward in the future in a good way. 334 00:17:12,180 --> 00:17:12,580 Speaker 1: For sure. 335 00:17:13,390 --> 00:17:16,139 Speaker 2: Back to you. What's next for you in tennis, do 336 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 2: you think? 337 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:19,260 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, for me, it's really fresh right now. 338 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:22,620 Speaker 3: So I just ended this job, I think, two weeks 339 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:26,140 Speaker 3: ago now. The Olympics are two weeks ago for me. 340 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:29,159 Speaker 3: So I'm just making up my mind and see what's 341 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:32,310 Speaker 3: coming next. But now the next weeks, I will just 342 00:17:32,430 --> 00:17:36,090 Speaker 3: enjoy my time with my family and make up my 343 00:17:36,130 --> 00:17:37,110 Speaker 3: mind to see what's coming. 344 00:17:40,470 --> 00:17:43,990 Speaker 1: Viv, congratulations. That was an awesome interview. I didn't actually 345 00:17:44,050 --> 00:17:47,250 Speaker 1: know that Torben had been with Kerber for that long, 346 00:17:47,530 --> 00:17:50,690 Speaker 1: that he started with her as an ITF junior. That's 347 00:17:50,730 --> 00:17:54,810 Speaker 1: an incredibly long partnership and so fruitful. I remember 2016 348 00:17:54,810 --> 00:17:57,390 Speaker 1: really well when she broke through and won that Australian 349 00:17:57,450 --> 00:17:59,609 Speaker 1: Open title against Serena Williams. It was one of my 350 00:17:59,690 --> 00:18:02,649 Speaker 1: favourite finals. And seeing her celebrate with him afterwards and 351 00:18:02,690 --> 00:18:06,169 Speaker 1: be so emotional was a really beautiful moment. And it 352 00:18:06,210 --> 00:18:08,030 Speaker 1: sounds like he's had lots of beautiful moments with Kerber 353 00:18:08,050 --> 00:18:08,490 Speaker 1: over the time. 354 00:18:08,859 --> 00:18:11,899 Speaker 2: Yeah, thanks, Matt. It was really great to talk to 355 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:16,100 Speaker 2: such a highly respected and successful coach and sort of 356 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:19,889 Speaker 2: to hear about the longevity of that relationship. And I 357 00:18:19,950 --> 00:18:21,870 Speaker 2: am really looking forward to seeing what he does next 358 00:18:21,950 --> 00:18:23,869 Speaker 2: in tennis. I don't think we've seen the last of him. 359 00:18:24,690 --> 00:18:27,169 Speaker 2: And we'll be back next week with another episode of 360 00:18:27,190 --> 00:18:29,570 Speaker 2: The Sit Down. And in the meantime, you can listen 361 00:18:29,650 --> 00:18:32,149 Speaker 2: to John and the team on the AO Show Weekly 362 00:18:32,250 --> 00:18:32,870 Speaker 2: this Thursday. 363 00:18:33,410 --> 00:18:35,300 Speaker 1: And details, of course, for how to contact us are 364 00:18:35,340 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 1: in the show notes below. And remember to subscribe, rate 365 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:40,220 Speaker 1: and review. And please get in touch with us if 366 00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:42,419 Speaker 1: you have any ideas of who you'd like us to 367 00:18:42,460 --> 00:18:44,710 Speaker 1: sit down with next. We're always open to ideas and 368 00:18:44,830 --> 00:18:46,010 Speaker 1: we'll see if we can make them happen. 369 00:18:46,250 --> 00:18:48,369 Speaker 2: Yeah, we would love to hear from you. See you 370 00:18:48,390 --> 00:18:48,970 Speaker 2: next week, Matt. 371 00:18:49,170 --> 00:18:49,470 Speaker 3: See you, Viv.