Sven Swinnen nonetheless remembers the primary time he watched Dominic Stricker play. The lefty, who was 14 on the time, visited the Swiss Tennis Academy in Biel, Switzerland. To not put any stress on the juniors coaching there with huge goals, the power is situated on Roger-Federer-Allee.
“He was hitting the ball already fairly clear. He had the ball properly on his racquet already at a younger age,” Swinnen informed ATPTour.com. “Clearly perhaps his footwork wasn’t the most effective but. He nonetheless can enhance on that at present. However slowly it’s getting higher and higher.”
Stricker was simply visiting for a pair days of follow on the nation’s nationwide coaching centre. Six years later he’s 20 years previous, and Swinnen is his full-time coach. The lefty is on the rise.
Stricker completed his 2022 season enjoying among the finest tennis of his profession, profitable a main-draw match on the ATP 250 in Antwerp and one other on the ATP 500 in Basel, his dwelling occasion. Then he shone on the Intesa Sanpaolo Subsequent Gen ATP Finals, defeating Jack Draper, Lorenzo Musetti and Chun-Hsin Tseng in round-robin play earlier than falling within the semi-finals.
“We attempt to take one step at a time. Now clearly he’s near the Prime 100, so the following purpose should you discuss rankings-wise might be to get a spot within the Prime 100 and attempt to maintain it for a while,” Swinnen stated of his cost, who’s No. 118 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. “Don’t get too caught up in making an attempt to get factors or suppose an excessive amount of about factors, attempt to maintain engaged on the issues you must enhance on court docket after which all of the stuff will come mechanically.”
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Photograph Credit score: Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Swinnen is lots conversant in younger Swiss gamers with huge prospects. The previous College of Oregon student-athlete grew up with Roger Federer.
“We’ll at all times say slightly bit the identical to the younger children,” Swinnen stated. “All people goes his personal path, give attention to that, give attention to bettering and it’s simply nice to have any person like Roger that we now have in Switzerland. That may also inspire them perhaps to play.
“They get to know him, additionally. Dominic performed a few instances with him, in order that was additionally good.”
In 2021, Stricker relayed to the media a narrative about how throughout their coaching collectively, Federer mentioned the significance of the serve together with his youthful countryman. That shot has turn into certainly one of Stricker’s largest weapons.
Based on Swinnen, it has been essential to proceed creating that energy.
“Typically you wish to maintain making an attempt to enhance the weaknesses, however I additionally wish to put give attention to his strengths. Hold bettering his serve,” Swinnen stated. “He’s serving already fairly good, that’s a giant weapon of his, his serve, for his peak. Hold bettering on these after which there are many issues he can enhance on.”
Judging by the top of 2022, followers will more and more turn into conversant in that shot, too. In Milan, Stricker confirmed no worry of a giant stage on the Allianz Cloud. Swinner added that alternatives like that may solely assist his participant develop.
“All people’s dreaming about these phases, these huge tournaments. That’s why you practise. That’s what all of the younger children dream about, to play these huge occasions,” Swinnen stated. “Out of the blue should you get nearer, you actually wish to attempt to get there. I hope he retains his focus, retains practising exhausting and hopefully he can play increasingly of these occasions.”