Joel Schwärzler lost his debut on the ATP Tour after a strong performance in the second set. The just 18-year-old player from Hard, who is participating at the Generali Open in Kitzbühel thanks to a wildcard, was defeated on Monday in the first round of the largest tennis clay court tournament in Austria by Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA) after nearly two hours with a score of 2:6, 6:7 (6/8).
Schwärzler missed no fewer than nine break points in the second set, five of them in the opening game alone. He was dominant on serve in the second set, leading to a tiebreak. In this tiebreak, the young Vorarlberg player, who is trained by Jürgen Melzer, had to concede after saving a match point.
“Joel, Joel” Chants
“Yes, the second set was very, very good. In the first set, he was two classes better, then in the second I had so many chances, but in the crucial moments, he just played better,” was the rather composed analysis from the young player.
In the second set, there was also a real atmosphere for Schwärzler. He hasn’t heard “Joel, Joel” chants that often in his young career. “It pushed me, and it was definitely a lot of fun. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough; I would have preferred to still be on the court.”
Schwärzler to play doubles with Oswald
Schwärzler will remain in the tournament. He will play doubles alongside doubles specialist Philipp Oswald, who is retiring from professional tennis in Kitzbühel, alongside one of his former idols. He mentioned that he used to look up to Oswald because they played at the same academy in Vorarlberg, like his close compatriot, Schwärzler recounted.
When asked where he sees himself in Kitzbühel 2025, he replied, “Hopefully back in this chair, but as the winner,” he said with a smile. However, Schwärzler’s next single match is now initially at the end of July at the ATP Challenger in Liberec.
Childhood dream came true
Before the tournament, Schwärzler stated that it had always been a childhood dream of his to participate in Kitzbühel. He had been there many times – more on this in: Schwärzler receives wildcard for Kitzbühel.