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Dominic Stricker (21) emerged as one of the big winners of this year’s US Open, despite being eliminated in the round of 16 against world number nine Taylor Fritz (25). The surprise man from Gross Höchstetten BE in an interview after his return home.
Blick: Dominic Stricker, what music did you listen to on the flight from New York to Zurich?
Dominic Stricker: (laughs) A little bit of everything. Across genres. But I also slept a lot. I have to admit that after those two weeks I am quite exhausted now that the excitement of the tournament has worn off.
Was the nearly eight-hour flight also an opportunity to let the experience sink in?
Certainly. During the flight I was alone, I could think about everything. That was fun. And yet I think I still don’t fully realize what happened.
They arrived as a qualifier – and left the Flushing Meadows facility as a knockout round. How did you experience the hype around you?
Well, it all happened mega, mega fast. In qualifying I was almost out because I had a match point against me. Then there was the funny draw that I would again be playing the same opponent as at Wimbledon (Alexei Popyrin, editor’s note). I entered my competitions with great pleasure and at some point I realized that there was really something in it. The questions from the media became more and more frequent. And the fans also liked my game and gave me huge support. The mood was fantastic. In my last game against an American, at least against Taylor Fritz.
The response was also great in Switzerland. Even your favorite club YB (plus some players), the ski stars Marco Odermatt and Beat Feuz or the music duo Lo & Leduc congratulated you.
That’s true and it’s great. It was nice to see them following my matches. That honors me.
But there were no professional tips from Lo & Leduc because of your singing performance in the match against Stefanos Tsitsipas?
No. They didn’t ask me to do a song together (smiles).
You also rocked along to Bruno Mars’ hit “Uptown Funk” in the game against Benjamin Bonzi. Is this your new secret recipe for staying relaxed in crucial moments?
Maybe. I’m someone who just does what I want at times like this. It helps me to stay more relaxed and be with myself. And just to enjoy the situation.
The brand ‘Cailler’ announced on Instagram that it had chocolate ready for you. Are you expecting a present now?
I’m excited. You wrote to me that a package was on its way to me. It’s nice to get such reactions, I was very happy about that.
After beating Bonzi in the third round, you were allowed to reward yourself with chocolate. Nevertheless, the nutrition and fitness aspects are important cornerstones in your partnership with coach “Didi” Kindlmann.
Yes. The basic idea behind it is that everything in my career should gradually become more professional. Nutrition plays an important role in this, as does relaxation or sports in the gym. I think we’re on the right track. We have already seen in New York that the adjustments affected performance and endurance in the five sets.
What sporting limits have been shown to you on the world stage?
Well, first of all it was good for me to see that I can compete with the best. I’m so close now that I can at least tease them. The game against Fritz was also an exciting game. What I still lack is the necessary rest at the important moments. Fritz, for example, did an excellent job of this. When it comes down to it, he doesn’t make careless mistakes. Then he won’t do anything stupid.
Now there are months waiting with relatively few points to defend. How do you look forward to this promising autumn?
I look forward. I have a cool phase ahead of me. Starting with the Davis Cup, where we always have a great atmosphere within the Swiss team. And then, of course, a highlight awaits at the end of October with the tournament in Basel. My ultimate goal will be to stay in the top 100 until the end of the year so that I can enter the main draw at the Australian Open in January.
This year, two Swiss professionals, Jil Teichmann and Marc-Andrea Hüsler, had to discover what it’s like to be passed in the rankings. The top 100 could soon be passé again. How much respect do you have for it?
Not too big. For both Jil and “Mac”: If they keep doing well, they’ll be rewarded for it. The same goes for me. Who knows where my path will lead. But I am aware that everyone deserves to be at the top of the world rankings. They can all play tennis very well.
Your break is now short. From next Tuesday you will play in Manchester in the aforementioned Davis Cup. What are you most looking forward to at home right now?
To my birthday presents! I gave birth on August 16 while still in Canada. (laughs) No, just kidding. What I look forward to the most is spending time with those close to me. And like after Wimbledon, a round of golf with my friends.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
