LAOLA1: For the first time since 1993, Kitzbühel is back on the WTA Tour calendar. How did this comeback happen?
Alex Antonitsch: Basically, it was always a bit of a wish: How can we extend the tournament or this tennis festival? Now we got the chance for a small WTA tournament, a 125 series event, and we said, let's try it the week before. This naturally enhances the qualifying weekend, as it features the women's semifinals and final. Of course, we are all incredibly happy that the women are back playing in Kitz.
LAOLA1: The men's tournament is again top-class, with players like Flavio Cobolli, who was just in a Grand Slam final, or Bublik as the defending champion. What can we expect from this tournament?
Antonitsch: First of all, we are thrilled. At the entry deadline, we had the highest cut-off we've ever had. This is what we can do: as organizers, see who we can commit to the tournament relatively early, who wants to come to Kitzbühel. Then this waiting begins. We gambled on a few players. When we virtually secured Cobolli, he was barely in the top 20 in the world. Now he's on a roll. With Bublik, it looked different; as defending champion, he was clear relatively quickly. Struff, who isn't officially in yet, is now suddenly world number 40; these things are hard to influence. Part of that involves a bit of luck. In any case, we have a great field; it's going to be a huge tennis festival.
LAOLA1: Is there a great concern that one of these big stars might still withdraw due to their success?
Antonitsch: Whether someone is injured or needs a break, that's not something we can control. We focus on what we can control. We hope everyone comes. Whether there will be one or more withdrawals, I cannot predict. But the field is so strong that we can probably cope with one or more withdrawals.
LAOLA1: Sebastian Ofner and Joel Schwärzler have received wildcards. What are your hopes and expectations for both of them for the tournament?
Antonitsch: "Ofi" (Note: Sebastian Ofner), who is celebrating his third comeback, certainly has unfinished business with Kitzbühel. He sometimes didn't arrive fully fit. But in the year he played so well at Wimbledon, he immediately reached a semifinal in Kitzbühel afterwards. Something like that would be great. If he gets through the first round or the first two, he's capable of a lot. He needs confidence and is also playing on clay the week before, which is good. We hope he can play his best tennis in Kitzbühel. Then he definitely has a good chance.
LAOLA1: And for Schwärzler?
Antonitsch: For Joel, his development surged rapidly at the beginning of the year. We hope he can recapture that form. Joel is a dangerous player who trains a lot in Kitzbühel with Markus Hipfl, who is accustomed to the altitude. We are very excited.
"Man muss in Österreich aufpassen, dass man nicht zu schnell sagt: Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob das noch was wird."
LAOLA1: Looking at the emerging talents in Austrian men's tennis, many hopes are currently resting on Joel Schwärzler and his development. How much can one expect? Where should expectations be tempered?
Antonitsch: Basically, in Austria, things get hyped very quickly. I always look a bit beyond our borders, and with a few players, there's already been significant international interest. That was also the case with Joel Schwärzler. But the transition is also brutally tough. Some achieve it faster, while others simply need more time to transition from juniors and make it to the top. With Joel, in terms of talent and potential, we know he definitely has what it takes. Now things are moving upwards, but for some, not fast enough. In Austria, you have to be careful not to be too quick to say: I'm not sure if that's going to work out.
"Dass es jeder oder jedem so gelingt wie einer Lilli Tagger, das passiert einfach nicht. Es gibt nicht 'den einen Weg'."
LAOLA1: One probably can't say that about Lilli Tagger?
Antonitsch: The path Lilli has taken is phenomenal. From French Open junior champion to a Top 100 player now – that's naturally brilliant. I believe she is in excellent hands. All you need is patience. She will play a very prominent role.
Then we must not forget someone who is now showing great promise: a Tyrolean who will be seen in Kitzbühel is Anna Pircher, also only 16. She needs time. For anyone who can play well at that level, there is more than enough potential. We can report positively about it, but we don't have to immediately put too much pressure on them and say that you have to win Kitzbühel at 16. (UPDATE: Legal dispute concerning ÖTV talent Pircher - Withdrawal from Kitzbühel >>>)
LAOLA1: And for the boys?
Antonitsch: For example, we have a great young player who trains with Wolfgang Thiem: Thilo Behrmann. He is ranked number six or seven in the junior world rankings - also someone who shows he can compete with the world's best juniors. Now comes the jump from junior level to the professional circuit, which is so difficult for many. The 14-year-old Styrian Moritz Freitag (Wimbledon U14 champion) is also a very big talent. That everyone succeeds like Lilli Tagger, that simply doesn't happen. There isn't "one single path."
Some take a little longer physically, some still need to develop their game, some don't turn pro yet and finish school, then go to college. If there were "one single path", I would congratulate anyone who says: "This is the way to become a professional." But I believe that in Austria we consistently have great talents. Not a mass of talents; for that, we are simply too small as a country. For some, it goes faster, for others, it takes longer - and one must also be honest, some unfortunately never succeed in professional sports!
LAOLA1: How important are these developments and this focus on young Austrian talents from an organizer's perspective for tournaments like Kitzbühel?
Antonitsch: For us, at the beginning of the tournament, when I started in 2011, when we grew with Dominic (Note: Thiem) and supported him, similar to how we are now supporting Joel Schwärzler long-term, it was extremely important. Then many said, "Dominic isn't here anymore, what will happen to Kitzbühel?" We are still here.
Remaining tickets are available from Thursday, Saturday is completely sold out, the best players play on Wednesday, most Austrians play on Monday and Tuesday. The attendance is there, and the event works. But 'no surprise' it's extremely important for media attention and atmosphere that Austrians are successful. We also see that in our doubles. Alexander Erler has won it three times, once together with Lucas Miedler. Or last year when Schwärzler was in the final with my nephew (Note: Neil Oberleitner), the atmosphere was simply excellent. But I wouldn't say that we are solely dependent on Austrians or Austrian successes anymore.
LAOLA1: We thank you for this interview and wish you all the best for the upcoming tournament days!
