Mats Merkel is scouting and coaching for Adidas. At the US Open, the 33-year-old German took care of the Taiwanese Chun Hsin Tseng in addition to his activities for adidas. In the seventh part of our series Merkel gives information about the special features of the tournament in Indian Wells.
tennisnet: Mr. Merkel. Most of the top players are back from their holidays and are already preparing for the coming season. Everyday life begins with the first tournaments at the turn of the year. Are there any events during the season where the professionals can catch their breath?
Mats Merkel: It is generally said that Indian Wells is the tournament of the second, short preparation. The season is known to be very long for the players – even though many complain and then play show fights in the off-season anyway. Even far away from home. After the start of the season in Australia, it’s only a short journey, either to Europe, Dubai or South America – and then come the two most important hard court tournaments of spring. There are an incredible number of points here. Especially Indian Wells offers something special to the spectators – there the fans can be closer to the stars than at any other tournament. And also see which exercises the players do on a large green area to warm up.
tennisnet: In the same way you know it from ambitious hobby players?
Merkel: Much harder. I once spoke to a player who told me: “The warm-up from my colleague over there looks like my workout! The players also learn from each other, especially the boys, who see what the established do. And see: What’s good for me, what could I possibly take over?
tennisnet: But that doesn’t sound like recovery.
Merkel: Well, for the men’s seeded players the tournament starts very late. The event lasts for two weeks, but the seeded start on Saturday or Sunday. When there’s a day off between matches, you go golfing, that’s what many tennis players do to mentally switch off.
tennisnet: In former times Ivan Lendl was the one who also showed high competence on the golf course, later also Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Mardy Fish. Who’s sticking out on the greens right now?
Merkel: Daniela Hantuchova is through with her tennis career, but she played golf very well. And for a while I had closer contact with Sergio Garcia. Of the boys, Jaume Munar is often seen on the golf course, and Rafael Nadal is one of the top boys. And it is the case that many athletes meet and compete across all sports. In Indian Wells there is a great resort where the tennis players stay, that is La Quinta. That’s in Rancho Mirage, about ten minutes away from the plant, where there are always ProAm events. This contributes to general amusement and relaxation.
tennisnet: Even if it is still sport …
Merkel: Of course. But there is also a great viewpoint near Indian Wells where you can drive to, plus some parks. When we used to have the adidas Development Program, we used to be in Las Vegas before Indian Wells. The players had the opportunity to spend some time with Steffi Graf, which was of course an incredible story. There were players like Caroline Wozniacki, Sorana Cirstea or Andrea Petkovic, Angie Kerber was also there.
tennisnet: Andre Agassi was also with adidas for a short time.
Merkel: Then it was like this that from Fernando Verdasco to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Jack Sock to junior players there were always enough men at the start for a preparation camp. And then we had this mega cool ride through the canyons from Las Vegas to Indian Wells – but you had to make sure that you had enough fuel before. Otherwise smaller problems could occur, also with us, but somehow we always managed it. But for the players, who usually have to compete individually, such a ride has developed a real team spirit. And through such experiences, many players have become friends.
tennisnet: Especially the players of a nation among each other?
Merkel: This happens a lot in Miami. Then the Spanish boys go to Key Biscaine for a charity football event, or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for fishing. Roger Federer, on the other hand, sometimes goes to Central Park on his days off in New York and plays there: Nobody knows anything, and that is of course a mega story. You create a spontaneous mob – and that is also a great experience for the tennis players.