Swiss youngster retired at Wimbledon: the account of Stricker’s biggest day of his career

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Bye Wimbledon! Surpriseman Dominic Stricker (20) is out. He is defeated by Frances Tiafoe (USA/25) in round two 6:7 (11:13), 4:6, 2:6. On the biggest day of the still young career of the talent from Gross Höchstetten BE, there is nothing to win against the number ten in the world. The protocol:

7:30 am: Wake up early in the football quarters. Stricker is adjacent to Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC. The YB fan lives in an official tournament hotel. Unlike many top players, the qualifier does not yet have a rental house in Wimbledon Village.

08:00.: time for breakfast There is muesli and a banana you brought. He keeps his hands off sweets and bread. Coach Dieter Kindlmann pays close attention to the nutrition of the young Swiss talent at every meal.

9:00 am.: Depart for Wimbledon in one of the deluxe tournament shuttles. Sometimes it’s a Jaguar, sometimes a Land Rover. Stricker wishes the latter – “always” – as father and business manager Stephan reveals with a laugh: “It’s very comfortable. In the Land Rover you have as much space as if you were driving in a family home.”

10am: Stricker arrives at Church Road, goes straight to the cabin. Everything that is needed is put on tape. First the foot, then the back, which has been causing problems lately. This is followed by warm-up and stabilization exercises for the whole body.

12:30 pm: The tournament features 30 minutes of lawn training on game day. Newcomer Stricker cannot stay on the track like the big stars, he is taken to an outside area by shuttle.

14.00 hours: The afternoon is coming. rice and chicken. Orange juice or similar is not used. Anything containing acid can upset your stomach.

3 p.m.: The waiting time begins. Stricker – Tiafoe is the fourth game on court 12. The youngster while away the time writing with his loved ones. With girlfriend Aline, sister Michèle or parents Sabine and Stephan – the last three are on site, but leave “Domi” alone. The pulse in the family? “It’s okay,” says Dad.

16.00 hours: Match briefing with coach «Didi». Which tactic? Where is Tiafoe vulnerable?

4:15 PM: The tension is rising – soon it will be Stricker’s turn. The whole team comes together, and the parents are there too. group hug. “As always for games we’re involved in,” says Stephan Stricker.

4:52 PM: Stricker enters lane 12 along with opponent Tiafoe. The lucky charm – a small tennis racket as a necklace – is mounted.

5:01 PM: Here we go. The biggest game of Dominic Stricker’s career to date is underway. If he wins against the top 10 player it would not only be a Wimbledon sensation, he would be in the top 100 for the first time.

5:49 PM: Tiebreak in the first round. Stricker awards the first of four set balls.

5:59 PM: 13:11 into the tiebreaker. Tiafoe directs the game in his lanes – for compatriot and ex-ski star Lindsey Vonn, who came especially to cheer him on.

6:30 pm: 4:6 in the second set. Coach Kindlmann yells, “Be brave!” There are now significantly more for the Americans in the stands: “Give it to him, boy!” one shouts in Tiafoe’s direction.

7:04 PM: It is over. Stricker loses set three 2:6. His box stands up and gives a consoling applause. Tiafoe shouts out his joy. Vonn cheers.

7:15 pm: The first shock has been digested. “It’s a pity,” says mother Sabine, “but it was still a good experience for Domi.”

7:30 PM: Official media event for the Swiss press. “The first sentence was bitter, it could have changed a lot,” says Stricker, “but it gives me a lot that we were at eye level sometimes”.

8 p.m.: First the visit to the physiotherapist, then the reward for five matches in eleven days: a dinner with the entire crew. Where? Stricker says with a smile, “We’ll see. Maybe I’ll see something from London.”

Source : Blick