When it got here to picking his tennis idol as a child, there wasn’t a lot deliberation to do. Dominic Stricker.
“After all, for those who dwell in Switzerland… My solely nice idol [had to be] Roger Federer”, the Swiss #NextGenATP just lately instructed ATPTour.com. “Roger is Swiss and he has a reasonably comparable sport to the one I wish to play.”
Now that he is among the high prospects on the ATP Tour and ranked No. 187 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, the 19-year-old Stricker now not has to treat Federer merely as somebody to admire from afar. Stricker’s Coach, Sven Swinen, spent two years as a classmate of the 103-time tour champion and day by day apply associate on the Swiss nationwide federation after they have been each youngsters. His illustrious former classmate has been very happy to supply recommendation to Swinnen’s younger pupil.
“It is fortunate,” Swinnen mentioned. “Roger invited Dominic to Dubai twice for apply, some pre-season stuff, in order that was actually useful. Roger now is aware of us fairly effectively and we get superb recommendation from him.”
Their shared nationality might have made it tough for him to not idolize Federer as a teen, however, as a clean-hitting southpaw, Stricker’s growth has additionally been influenced by some top-class ATP Tour southpaws. “[I love] rapha [Nadal] too, and a few gamers who have not performed since I began,” Stricker mentioned. “There was [Michael] cries and [Marcelo] Rivers. I watched them lots.”
Nevertheless, Stricker is not so certain how a lot these position fashions have influenced his personal model of play.
“I’d say [my game] It is not likely a typical left-handed sport,” he mentioned. “Lefties are usually extra aggressive, however I prefer to go to the court docket, additionally get nearer to the online generally, combine it up with a little bit little bit of serving and volleying. I’d say I am an aggressive participant with an excellent serve and an excellent forehand, and I attempt to take the sport into my very own palms.”
That entrance foot strategy made a powerful first impression when he appeared on the ATP Tour in Could and June of final 12 months. Stricker, then 18, eradicated the previous World No. 3 Marin Cilic on his tour-level debut en path to the quarterfinals as a wild card in Geneva. He backed it up on the grass of Stuttgart three weeks later, defeating Hubert Hurkacz to earn his first Prime 20 win and attain back-to-back ATP Tour quarterfinals.
In 2022, Stricker sits eleventh in Pepperstone’s ATP Race To Milan as he makes an attempt to qualify for the November one. Intesa Sanpaolo Subsequent Gen ATP Finals for the primary time. The 19-year-old began the 12 months in spectacular style, reaching the ultimate on the ATP Challenger Tour occasion in Columbus in January, earlier than enhancing every week later to elevate his second Challenger title in Cleveland.
View ATP Rankings Race To Milan Pepperstone
These successes propelled the Swiss into the Prime 200 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the primary time, with Stricker reaching a profession excessive of No. 155 in March. Regardless of struggling to right away again up these outcomes, Stricker scored some spectacular wins on grass, most notably a straight-set win in opposition to the serve-and-volley specialist. maxim cressy in Stuttgart in June.
“I believe it has been fairly good,” Stricker mentioned. “It began with the primary Slam in Australia this 12 months. I used to be fairly comfortable [just] to be there. Two fairly profitable weeks in the US, with a closing and one other winner. Just a few weeks I used to be injured and had different issues, however now I am again.”
Swinnen agrees, and believes Stricker’s constructive mindset and willingness to work laborious away from tournaments serve him effectively. “I believe we had an excellent offseason, in December he was working towards lots,” Swinnen mentioned. “In Australia he had a tricky second spherical within the qualifiers, however I nonetheless trusted his sport. It actually did not have an effect on him an excessive amount of that he misplaced there.
“It was an excellent determination to go straight to the US. It was a protracted street journey, however it was price it in the long run. After the USA, he had some issues, some little issues, however I am glad he picked it up once more.”
meet sunday
Describe your self off the pitch: That could be a tough query! I might say he is a enjoyable man, at all times up for a joke. Fairly relaxed and simple going, he likes to play with my coach or different gamers.
Best ardour outdoors of tennis: I might say it is golf. I actually prefer to spend a while on the golf course. After I come residence and I’ve a time off, I at all times attempt to discover somebody to return and play with me.
I performed as soon as on the Tour, once I performed the juniors in Australia, with my former coach. I missed.
Excellent day with out tennis: I believe it could be a variety of sleep, perhaps till 9 am Then rise up, have an excellent breakfast and do one thing with my household. Go for a brief stroll or play some card video games after which have lunch. Then I’d go play golf with my associates after which come residence to have a barbecue.
Favourite music: Possibly just a few Swiss songs, once I’m within the temper, or some rap. Music comes along with your temper, I’d say.
Favourite meals from residence: Truly an excellent story. I do not like cheese. It is laborious to inform being a Swiss. I would not say something particular. I actually like meals when it’s effectively cooked. All of the meals is sweet, and I am not allergic to something, in order that’s good.