Dennis Novak: "The top 100 is my goal for the season"
After an injury break of almost three months, Dennis Novak (ATP No. 174) defeated the former junior world number one Harold Mayot from France in his first match at the ATP Challenger tournament in Mauthausen in three sets. Tennisnet then spoke to the 29-year-old from Lower Austria.
by Dietmar Kaspar
last edit:
May 11, 2023, 08:29 am
By Dietmar Kaspar from Mauthausen
Tennisnet: Dennis, you were able to successfully make your comeback on the tour with a win. How relieved are you?
Dennis Novak: Very big of course. I didn't know what to expect. I played very well in training, but training and a match are always two different things. Especially the way I filmed the match makes me very happy.
You had to give up the first set in the match. Does a lack of confidence in the stress on the body possibly play a role?
It was the first long injury break of my career, so I didn't really know what to expect. My trainers told me beforehand that not everything can go perfectly at the beginning and that you sometimes have to accept it if you don't get going straight away. But it was important that I always stuck with it and that it steadily improved.
There is never a good time for an injury. How did you deal with the fact that just before that you were able to win your third Challenger title in Thailand and were therefore in really good shape?
It was extremely difficult for me at the beginning because I was in such a good mood and hardly had any points to defend in the months that followed. The jump into the top 100 was absolutely tangible. Luckily, I was able to quickly check that off and see the positive side of it. I was able to use the time to work on things that are otherwise not possible during the season. Physically, I'm feeling very good now and it's about building up match after match.
Does family support also help?
That was of course a positive effect of the injury, that you can then spend more time with the family. We definitely enjoyed our time together.
What is your tournament planning for the next few weeks?
I intend to play the Challenger in Tunis next, then the qualifier in Roland Garros. I would also like to play more on grass, but that depends on my ranking to eventually qualify for the ATP grass tournaments. If that doesn't work, I'll play more Challengers to get as many matches as possible.
The Tennis Bundesliga is just around the corner. Does that also play a role in your planning?
I'll definitely be there. If I'm not in the semi-finals at Mauthausen this week, I'll play the first round on Saturday. The other starts depend on how the tournaments go.
What are your goals for the end of the year?
My big goal is of course the top 100. Before the injury I was close, and if I stay fit and healthy it's definitely possible.
Thank you for the interview and good luck.