After a messed-up start to the year, Schwärzler was able to improve continuously and in the past two weeks achieved the greatest success of an ÖTV junior since Dominic Thiem's Orange Bowl victory in 2011. With the triumphs at the Osaka Mayor's Cup and the ITF Juniors Finals in Chengdu, Schwärzler catapulted up to No. 3 in the junior world rankings. The planned attack on the number 1 position this fall was called off for the time being after a team decision: "I'll now play two more Future tournaments in Greece, then it's the end of the season for me," says the Vorarlberg native.
In order to become number 1, Schwärzler would have had to successfully play two more tournaments in Mexico and the USA. Too much effort to not lose sight of the big goal. And that is to establish himself first on the Future Tour and then also on the Challenger Tour. This requires professional and perfectly planned preparation in the winter so that he can hit the ground running again in the spring.
8 Challenger wildcards for 2024
By establishing himself in the Juniors top 10, Schwärzler has achieved a major goal this year: "That entitles me to 8 Challenger wildcards next year." The 17-year-old wants to make the most of them. "I will only sprinkle in a handful of junior tournaments next year, including the Slams, of course. Otherwise, I want to make every step as fast as possible." The goal is to take the Future and Challenger levels as quickly as possible. "I want to advance quickly," Schwärzler said confidently. "At the higher levels, you can earn points faster. That's the goal, of course."
Schwärzler describes his game as "fast and aggressive." Most recently, there was also praise from Günter Bresnik. "I have also trained with him a few times. To get praise from a coach like him is of course something very special."
Pressure no problem
The fact that all of tennis Austria is looking to him and that many see him as the legitimate Thiem successor does not particularly concern the Vorarlberg native. "Pressure doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. It just means that people see something in you and expect it. It always depends on how you deal with it."
Schwärzler is already looking forward to the atmosphere in a sold-out Stadthalle: "Maybe I can already play here next year with a wildcard, it probably won't work without one. I'll have to earn the chance by delivering a good season in 2024. But there are other good youngsters like Lukas Neumayer who would have earned it just as much."
In order to become number 1, Schwärzler would have had to successfully play two more tournaments in Mexico and the USA. Too much effort to not lose sight of the big goal. And that is to establish himself first on the Future Tour and then also on the Challenger Tour. This requires professional and perfectly planned preparation in the winter so that he can hit the ground running again in the spring.
8 Challenger wildcards for 2024
By establishing himself in the Juniors top 10, Schwärzler has achieved a major goal this year: "That entitles me to 8 Challenger wildcards next year." The 17-year-old wants to make the most of them. "I will only sprinkle in a handful of junior tournaments next year, including the Slams, of course. Otherwise, I want to make every step as fast as possible." The goal is to take the Future and Challenger levels as quickly as possible. "I want to advance quickly," Schwärzler said confidently. "At the higher levels, you can earn points faster. That's the goal, of course."
Schwärzler describes his game as "fast and aggressive." Most recently, there was also praise from Günter Bresnik. "I have also trained with him a few times. To get praise from a coach like him is of course something very special."
Pressure no problem
The fact that all of tennis Austria is looking to him and that many see him as the legitimate Thiem successor does not particularly concern the Vorarlberg native. "Pressure doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. It just means that people see something in you and expect it. It always depends on how you deal with it."
Schwärzler is already looking forward to the atmosphere in a sold-out Stadthalle: "Maybe I can already play here next year with a wildcard, it probably won't work without one. I'll have to earn the chance by delivering a good season in 2024. But there are other good youngsters like Lukas Neumayer who would have earned it just as much."
