A possible new Austrian tennis star was born during the Generali Open in Kitzbühel. The 20-year-old Filip Misolic from Graz should now be known to every local tennis fan, and he has made a name for himself internationally. Kitz winner Roberto Bautista Agut was also happy with the Styrian. “I wish him a wonderful career,” said the Spaniard after his eleventh title.
What Misolic has achieved, especially with the two catch-ups in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, has also surprised many long-time observers of the scene. “I don’t know myself what happened during the week. All I know is that I’m very happy that I came back in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. I think I’ll only realize what in a few hours I did here,” admitted the man from Graz, who, like superstar Roger Federer and Felix Auger-Aliassime, was born on August 8th, but in 2001.
“Of course it’s a dream”
And now Misolic will even find himself as Austria’s new number 1 on Monday, in an ATP position around 135. “Of course it’s a dream to be Austria’s number 1. I’m very happy, but I will continue to do so every day train, fight, that I always play better.” Translated, of course, that means: He still hasn’t had enough.
And because of the rapid advancement, he always has to set himself new goals. During the course of the week it was the top 150, now after the final it’s the top 100. And what is the long-term goal? “The number 1, of course, but generally taking part in the finals of such tournaments. You just feel special like in a final like today.”
According to Misolic, he learned a lot during this kitz week. “I learned from every match from the first round to the final. That will help me a lot in the future. It’s not easy to play at that level in general, and certainly not in the first final against Roberto.”
Tiebreak as a mental feat
Of the many moments, the biggest challenge was probably the tiebreak, which was canceled on Friday evening due to rain and was finished on Saturday immediately before the final. “I slept well. I was a bit tired from yesterday. But of course it’s difficult to stop in the third set at 1-0 in the tie-break in the first semi-final,” admitted the ATP Tour debutant. “I’ve been thinking all evening and all morning about how I’m going to play this tie-break,” Misolic said. The sequel was a short match. “But one of the most difficult mentally. It also took a bit of strength mentally.”
Misolic will now rest well for a few days. Then he switches to hard court for training. He wants to prepare as well as possible for qualifying for the US Open on the surface, which is not as popular as sand. Many new fans will keep their fingers crossed for him.
Source: Nachrichten
