ATP: Söderling:”Tennis would benefit from longer off-season”

Robin Söderling was only 26 years old when Robin Söderling had to end his career due to a mononucleosis disease. Today he is the coach of Elias Ymer and owns a company that produces balls for the tournaments of the ATP Tour. But he still feels a little melancholy because of his early career end.

In an interview with Tennismash magazine, Söderling talks about his fitness, matches against Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and the injury series from last season on the ATP tour.

Robin Söderling….

… about a possible way to beat Rafael Nadal on the sand:”You have to play really aggressive. I never cared about him, but tried to never give him time and always put him under pressure. If you stay on the baseline, it’s impossible to beat him. You have to take your chances and go down on the balls.”

… on his impressions of the past season:”There have been so many injuries, and somehow it’s all their own fault. The season lasts far too long, in any other sport there is a three- to four-month break between seasons. In tennis there are a few weeks in December and that’s it. The sport would be well tolerated for a longer break.”

… about his current state of health:”It took me a few years to fully recover. Those were by far the hardest years of my life. But I’m fine today. When I see how well people of my age play on the tour, I feel like I’ve been robbed of a longer, more successful career. But I had a good career and made many friends, so I see the positive.”

… about the Swedish tennis:”We stumbled. I think the Swedish association became a little lazy after the successful 80s. Even though tennis was playing better and better, the training methods remained the same for a long time. But we’re moving slowly in the right direction.”

… asks a tip for the Australian Open:”I wouldn’t be surprised if Novak or Andy played well, but I think it will be Federer. No one came close to their level last year. If he had played on sand, too, he’d be number one.”