ATP: Mats Merkel Series, Part 1 – “As a top player you have to adapt”

Mats Merkel is a scout and coach for Adidas. At the US Open, the 33-year-old German also took care of Chen Hsin Tseng from Taiwan. In part 1 of our series, Merkel talks about the necessity of adapting the game.

tennisnet: Mr. Merkel. It is often said that many players do not have a plan B. What’s more important: A working plan B or an outstanding plan A?

Mats Merkel: You can’t generally answer that. There are players who can adapt very well to their opponents. This means that these players are able to play against someone who makes the balls fast due to their technical skills. But also against people who have problems with angle balls in the backhand, or who do not like to come forward.

tennisnet: The prerequisites for this are?

Merkel: It depends on how well a player is technically trained and how far he is able to put his skills into practice, especially in a match. And does he also recognize this himself or through the influence of the box, which hopefully makes him aware when something goes wrong.

tennisnet: What exactly matters in the match?

Merkel: Basically you have to be able to adjust your game. The top players must be able to adapt to their opponents. And if they notice that their A-Game doesn’t work, then I have to unpack my B-Game. And grin from behind. Or if my opponent plays too offensively, then I just have to go to the net myself.

tennisnet: Easier said than done…

Merkel: I think that has to do with how people train. Often too one-sided. Too little variation. Players also complain about the same exercises: Forehand cross, backhand, volley, serves, play a few games.

tennisnet: What role does the team play in this?

Merkel: The team’s job is to keep the player mentally fresh. To challenge and promote him or her. So that they are not overwhelmed in the match.

tennisnet: Can a player do too much? Who have too many options?

Merkel: I’ve seen it. They get lost, can’t decide what their game plan is. Because either the nervousness is too high, or they didn’t discuss plan A and plan B beforehand. As a player it is always important to concentrate on your strengths and to pull them through. Or I focus on my opponent’s weaknesses.

tennisnet: Which player on the tour is way ahead in this respect?

Merkel: Rafael Nadal, for example. Or Novak Djokovic. Novak played extremely offensively against Richard Gasquet at the US Open. That was the best example of how this guy is able to engage offensive gear. The same, by the way, was seen with Philipp Kohlschreiber. He played Yannick Hanfmann in the first round from very far behind, defending Yannick’s incredible kick three, four metres behind the baseline. Philipp played Alexander Zverev on the baseline and in some cases even in the field. And then you have to adapt as a top player. Because that decides whether or not you win a Grand Slam tournament.