Filip Misolic - "I would have liked to be in the top 100"
The last week of the season on the ATP Challenger Tour has begun and Filip Misolic has chosen a particularly attractive destination to round it off with by taking part in the eó Hotels Maspalomas Challenger. The Austrian is seeded number 3 at the clay court tournament in the sunny south of Gran Canaria, which is worth 73,000 euros, and of course wants to end the year with a success
by Florian Heer
last edit:
Nov 28, 2023, 09:43 am
By Florian Heer from Maspalomas
We arranged an interview with the 22-year-old from Graz after his 6:3, 6:4 first round win on Monday over Henri Squire from Germany to talk about the tournament on the Canary Islands, but also to review the 2023 season let.
Tennisnet: Congratulations on your opening success. What made the difference today?
Filip Misolic: It was a very difficult match against Henri. He played very well. I started the game unsure, but then found my rhythm. I knew I had to play aggressively without making too many mistakes. I managed that well and made the difference today.
How many times have you been to Gran Canaria?
This is my second time. I already played the Gran Canaria Challenger in Telde last year.
How do you like the conditions here?
It is very nice. I was looking forward to a great tournament. Sometimes the wind makes playing tennis difficult. Overall the island is great.
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You arrived here with your win at the Austrian Indoor Championships in Bad Waltersdorf in your luggage. Was that a special title for you?
This title was still missing from my collection. So I'm very happy and proud of myself. However, the tournament took place on carpet, a surface I haven't played on for a while. So I first had to find my way around the conditions. But I had a lot of good matches. That was important because I haven't played in a tournament since Vienna. So that the break before the Australian Open wasn't too long, I decided to play the indoor championships here in Maspalomas.
Do you find it easy to change the pads?
You always need some time. But generally speaking, I can adapt to new circumstances fairly quickly.
Now we are in the last week of the season. What is your conclusion? What were your highlights?
A special highlight was surviving the qualification at the tournament in Vienna and making it into the main draw. Even though I narrowly lost to Cameron Norrie, this was my best tournament this year. Overall, I'm happy with my season. The ranking might have been a little better, but I was able to improve my game and that was my primary goal.
You are currently number 158 in the world. What position would you have liked to find yourself in?
I would have liked to be in the top 100. I'm sure I have the game for it, but I still need to be a little more consistent.
Two years ago you won your first professional title, then celebrated your first triumph on the ATP Challenger Tour last season and reached the final in Kitzbühel. This season there was another Challenger success in Rovereto. Are you satisfied with the development?
I think I set this up very well. I first won a few Futures tournaments, then I made the jump to the Challenger level, which wasn't easy for me at the beginning. But I completed the construction step by step. Of course there are players who make it onto the ATP tour quickly, but they are perhaps better talents. For me, this path to the top is exactly the right one.
Many players also say that the mental level is a particular challenge in men's tennis.
I just can approve that too. I also try to work on this with all the coaches. There are certain moments in tennis where you come under particular pressure. Mental strength can then make the difference.
What is the schedule for the off-season?
I have already taken a ten-day vacation in Graz and Croatia after Vienna and will therefore continue training in Maspalomas after this tournament. A special focus will then be placed on the serve and the return. These are the two most important points. I am well recovered and fit to continue.
Are there already concrete plans for this?
Maybe I will go to Tenerife, where Günter Bresnik is doing his preparation with many players. However, this is not yet entirely certain.
Thank you very much and continued success.