Stephane Robert has won the Challenger Tournament in Bernie and entered the record books. But the “oldie” still hasn’t had enough.
Stephane Robert. Hustler. Fighter. Oldie. The Frenchman is probably well known above all to the older generation of tennis players, but to a lesser extent to the younger generation. At the age of 38, Robert is a veteran of the tennis circuit – but that doesn’t stop him from sacrificing everything for his profession.
His irrepressible will is rewarded. With the Challenger victory in Bernie, Australia, Robert is the second-oldest Challenger level tournament winner of all time. In the final, he beat the German Daniel Altmaier in only 63 minutes with 6:1 and 6:2 – and that with 37 years and 8 months on the note.
“I’m very surprised. I was seeded and one of the favourites in the field, but it’s not easy to play here (…) It’s always special to win a title – for me it’s a great souvenir,”Robert said after the match.
Physically, the Frenchman is still in an impressive form and does not let his “high” sportsman’s age be noticed. Robert does not think about stopping:”As long as I feel fit and competitive, I will not stop. Now it’s my goal to regain the top 100.”
Are the Top 100s too high a goal for the tennis veteran? Not at all. About one and a half years ago, Robert was in 55th position in the world and played against big names such as Grigor Dimitrov (French Open) and Co. in the Grand Slams – that’s not history “Unfortunately, I injured myself and started playing well again after the US Open. Now I’m back to my best tennis and feel good”, Robert added. Robert accepts the occasional pain and aches and pains for it.
The charming Frenchman is always modest, confident and honest:”In the match against Nishioka there were a few hard and long rallies. I couldn’t even breathe for a while and then had to finish the next rallies in three or four points – I just couldn’t walk anymore,”admitted Robert. A return to the big tennis stage on the ATP tour only seems to be a matter of time.
players
seniority
tourney
Dick Norman
38 years, 1 month
Mexico City 2009
Stephane Robert
37 years, 8 months
Bernie 2018
Bob Carmichael
37 years, 6 months
Hobart 1978
37 years, 5 months
Kobe 2017
Victor Estrella Burgos
37 years
Santo Domingo 2017