Daniel Altmaier in Todi: "A decent step forward"
With the restart of the ATP Challenger Tour this week, the German men will again intervene in the international tennis scene. Along with Yannick Hanfmann and Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, Daniel Altmaier is one of three Teutons who made their way to the Italian province of Perugia in the Umbria region to compete at the Internazionali Di Tennis Citta Di Todi.
by Florian Heer from Todi
last edit:
Aug 18, 2020, 01:28 pm
Daniel Altmaier, who had to sit out almost the entire 2018 season due to injuries, was able to regain his footing last year. With four titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour, 2019 was his most successful year as a professional to date. The start of this season was also promising with two semi-finals at the ATP Challenger events in Ann Arbor, USA and in Burnie, Australia. Then came Corona. Now the motto is to play as much as possible.
Progress with an Argentinian coach
“During the break, I put a lot of emphasis on improving my fitness,” says the 21-year-old on the sidelines of the tournament in Todi. “This is an aspect that is difficult to work on during a tournament week. We have taken a good step forward. I managed to get a very stable physique. You can now build on that week after week. "
Born in Kempen, he spent the corona-related break with his exercise bike Patrice Hopfe on the Lower Rhine. Since September last year, Altmaier has been part of the training group of the former Argentinian tennis professional Francisco Yunis. However, optimal preparation could not be completed. Only the week before last, the former number 61 in the ATP world rankings from Buenos Aires was allowed to leave his home country. “He was in quarantine for about 120 days. So it was our first meeting in four or five months, ”says Altmaier.
Goal: ATP tour in spring
Despite all the unfortunate circumstances, the young German now wants to really get started. The aim is to take part in the South American clay court swing of the ATP Tour in spring 2021. “This means that I need a very stable ranking between places 130 and 170 in order to qualify there. In general, the tournament series is very interesting for me because part of my preparation for the season has shifted to this region. Francisco is a very experienced coach and I try to take a lot of it with me, ”states the current number 219 in the world.
“We have already achieved a lot. When we started our work together, I was still in 480th place. And I don't have to defend too many points. I am very happy."
Altmaier was also able to record his first success on the tennis club Todi facility. With a three-set win over the Italian Lorenzo Giustino, he moved into the second round. Another local hero is waiting there on Wednesday with Gian Marco Moroni.