Jérôme Kym is on his way to the top 100 and says before starting the Swiss Indoors: “I can beat any opponent.”
Jérôme Kym made his debut for Switzerland in the Davis Cup at the age of 15. Six years later he is preparing to become the best-ranked Swiss.
As a big FCB fan, are you flirting with the idea of being able to go for a jog after your qualifying match?
Jerome Kym: Yes. But now I’m watching the game against St.Gallen on TV. An important game.
How was it playing against your colleague Henry Bernet to get a place in the main draw of the Swiss Inland, your home tournament?
I could sleep at home. It’s always easier to get out of your own bed. But the game was not easy. Henry and I have a great time together and I will also play doubles together at the Swiss Indoors 2024. I was nervous, I didn’t want to lose under any circumstances and I’m glad now that I won. I’m really looking forward to my first appearance in the main draw on Monday. (Kym will meet Ugo Humbert (ATP 16) from France from 2 pm Editor’s note)
How long does it take you to achieve what you have achieved today?
This happens quite quickly for me. I understand that this is a big deal for me.
Was your serve strong and decisive today? 12 aces, 0 break points against you and regularly over 220 km/h speak for themselves.
Yes, even in the last game when things got tight. My service was already working well on Saturday. I never allowed myself to be disturbed and focused on my tasks. That worked out well.
What are your first memories of Inner Switzerland?
Ten years ago I was a ball boy here. I was allowed to stand on court with Rafael Nadal for a training session as a teenager. I was also able to watch Roger Federer play here twice before a semi-final and a final and then watch both matches afterwards.
Because of your size, you were only a ball boy once and were no longer considered the following year. Back then, the size was a disadvantage, but today it is an advantage for 1.98 meters.
Yes, but one size does not mean much. Here I am playing against the best players in the world, so you have to be stable. But I’m happy to finally be able to play games at this level.
This year you jumped from rank 444 to 140. Are you already dreaming of the magical top 100?
No. In my mental training I worked hard not looking at the ranking, but only at my tasks. How can I serve, how do I best hit the forehand? That’s what it’s about. If I develop further, the classification will come by itself.
They had an operation on their patellar tendon in the summer of 2023 and completed a long recovery before things quickly improved in 2024 with two tournament wins on the Future Tour and two tournament wins on the Challenger Tour. Do you already have an explanation for the quick success?
I have worked very well in rehabilitation, developed my fitness and play skills in training and I am happy to finally be rewarded for my hard work and great effort this year. I am very happy right now.
Your favorite sports RS also helped during this time.
In any case. I had three weeks of military training and then I was able to focus completely on tennis. I also met great people in Magglingen. Curler Maximilian Winz or footballers Pascal Loretz and Aurèle Amenda, for example. This broadens your perspective.
You won four tournaments in 2024, which was the most emotional win?
The one in Zug in front of the home crowd. But the other tournament win was also emotional.
Have you surprised yourself with the many successes?
No. I’m not a bad tennis player. I know what I can do. If I play offensively and attack the ball, I can beat any opponent.
How did it happen that you also competed in doubles with Henry Bernet?
We know each other well, we are both big FCB fans and we often trained together in Biel or at the TIF in Sissach. I have already given him many tips and I am glad that he is implementing them so well.
You have also made the FCB motto “always sharper” your own. Why?
I love the songs of the Muttenzerkurve and I was looking for motivation for situations in games or training when things are not going so well. Since then, phrases like “Always witter” or “I cry after you” have helped me so that I can do my thing and stay calm even in difficult stages.
Are you singing on the court too?
It’s not that. But at home with my best drum mate from Ryburg carnival guild.
How did you come to FCB?
My grandmother’s partner took me to the games as a child. Streller and Frei were my heroes, I have a lot of fan paraphernalia and autographs at home. Today I am a brand ambassador for a bakery together with Streller. I would have never thought that was possible back then.
Who is your favorite player at the moment?
Dominik Schmidt. He gives everything to Red Blue. I like that. I also thought Heinz Lindner was a good goalkeeper and a great guy.
At what stage will the FCB end the season?
Third place would be good.
And where will you be in the summer of 2025?
Let’s see. I watch from game to game.