Image: APA/AFP/THOMAS SAMSON
On May 23rd, Sebastian Ofner started qualifying for the French Open with the first round. If someone had told him that he would not be leaving Paris until two weeks later, he would not have believed it. After the 5: 7, 3: 6, 0: 6 defeat against Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre) there were still enough reasons to look back on his seven matches with satisfaction.
Ofner takes 180 ATP points, 240,000 euros gross and the first advance into the top 100 (around 80th place). “It was an incredible journey, the two weeks were indescribable. I couldn’t have imagined a better round of 16 at a Grand Slam tournament”, Ofner was happy about his run. Ofner has to qualify again in Wimbledon.
Because Roland Garros and the classic lawn are too close together for the advance to be honored. Only Dominic Thiem has a place in the main competition in London.
At the US Open and probably also at the Australian Open 2024, Ofner will no longer have to qualify. Because the big points from Paris and four Challenger finals this year (a total of 210 points) remain even longer. In addition, Ofner has little to defend from the previous year.
The 27-year-old from Styria is now taking a two-week break. At the lawn event in Ilkley (Gbr/from June 18th) he returns to the Challenger Tour. But he can then leave this level for a while. “If I play well, I think I’m at a top 50 level.”
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