Nicolas Kiefer Speaks About German Tennis, His Fashion Line and Davis Cup
Tennis - Former World No. 4 Nicolas Kiefer says that the situation of tennis in Germany is currently good with the likes of Alexander Zverev, Angelique Kerber and Julia Goerges but the talent in the juniors needs to improve especially when compared to other countries.
Speaking in an interview with the German Tennis Magazin, Kiefer says, "In women's tennis we are still doing very well with Angelique Kerber and Julia Görges . In the men Alexander Zverev outshines everything. He's still a player to me who, in the long run, can win big tournaments and become number one in the world. He had a phase in which many pieces of the puzzle did not match. Not only tennis is part of the game, but the athleticism, psyche and the many, many things around it. I trained with Rudi Molleker (19-year-old German ranked 165th in the world) here in Hanover. He is technically a very good player. Rudi is a good and talented boy. But he also brings a different mentality. He does not have the German mentality, just like a Zverev or a Kerber. It is striking that a lot of German players without migration background are a little spoiled and do not go to their limits. You have to work for success. Success does not just fall off the tree. That's a stupid phrase, but that's the way it is. (About juniors) You do not only have to worry about the ladies, but also the gentlemen when you see what good young talent is being done in other nations."
Kiefer is another player who does not like the new Davis Cup format which was launched this year. "I believe the ITF has scored an own goal with the reform. I do not like the new model. For smaller countries, it is a huge chance to attract attention. That's what these countries deserve. On the other hand, the value of the Davis Cup will decrease. I think it is questionable if people from another industry without expertise (Piqué ) suddenly want to have a say. Ultimately, it's all about the money and the sport suffers."
Kiefer is involved in his own fashion line these days, something he started thinking about during his playing days. "I had this idea in my head during my active time, but first wanted to concentrate fully on my tennis career. In 2017, at a golf tournament for the Nicolas Kiefer Charity, I played with the textile entrepreneur Holger Gartz in favor of Aktion Kindertraum. I told him about my idea. He was totally enthusiastic and invited me to his company. We designed a logo together, the kiwi, matching my nickname, and NK lettering. Initially, we restricted ourselves to casual clothing for women, men and children. The demand was so great that we also released a tennis collection. The collection is very well received. I'm always happy when I see people in kiwi clothes."
Kiefer has also become an avid marathon runner these days, something he says he could not do during his tennis days, "I always wanted to run a marathon during my tennis career. But that did not work, because it's a completely different burden. Marathon makes the legs slow. In tennis, I have to be quick. Marathon is a big challenge for me to get to my physical limits. The annoying thing about the marathon is training in the months before, when you have to run miles. My best time was 3:28:20 in 2013. In September I will be running in Berlin again."
Finally, speaking about any matches that he would like to play over given the chance, Kiefer picks out the Olympic doubles final at the 2004 Athens Games and the semi-final of 1999 season-ending ATP Finals in Hannover. "In addition to the Olympic final in Athens, it would be the semi-final against Pete Sampras at the 1999 ATP World Championships in Hannover. I lost 3-6, 4:-6. To win the match in my hometown would have been great."
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/36icB8e
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