Joel Schwaerzler blog: Challenger win, Roland Garros, military service
Ahead of the 2024 Roland Garros Junior Championships, Austria's Joel Schwaerzler – one of the wold's best junior players – reflects on his ATP Challenger win at the weekend and looks ahead to what could be his final Junior Grand Slam and a spell of military service.
Winning my first professional title last week at ATP Challenger level in North Macedonia was a whirlwind of emotions. I still find it hard to believe how the week unfolded.
The start was far from perfect – the first round was especially tough, and I felt a bit off my game. Luck played its part during the quarter-finals, but as the week progressed, I seemed to find my rhythm and everything started to click.
It was a rollercoaster ride, full of ups and downs, but ultimately, it was a week I will never forget.
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I have superstitions that change from week to week during tournaments; they never stay the same. This time around in North Macedonia, I stuck to a couple of routines that seemed to work like magic.
I warmed up with the same hitting partner every day and made sure to eat pasta with chicken and pesto before my matches.
These small rituals and details might sound trivial, but they really helped me stay focused and in the right mindset throughout the week. Maybe I will keep trying this in Paris as well!
Celebrating my first title was a bit unusual. I flew back to Vienna the same night I won, and there was not much time for any celebrations. Instead, I was already back on the practice court the next day, focused on preparing for the Roland Garros Junior Championships.
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Over the past few months, I have been working tirelessly on my game, particularly on my consistency. My focus has been on sharpening my serves and perfecting my tactics.
The "serve + 1" has become a crucial part of my strategy, especially as I am a lefty, and I am dedicated to making it my bread-and-butter shot. Additionally, I have been putting a lot of effort into improving my mental game.
Working with my mental coach has been a game-changer. Although I still experience ups and downs and sometimes get frustrated when I miss more than I should in matches, I am gradually becoming more resilient and mentally prepared for the challenges on the court.
Reflecting on last year's Roland Garros, where I reached the quarter-finals in the boys' draw, brings back fond memories. Roland Garros has always been my favorite Grand Slam, not just because clay is my favorite surface or because the courts in Paris are perfect, but there is something about the air in Paris that just feels right.
This Roland Garros is particularly significant for me as it is one of my last chances to win a Junior Grand Slam, as I am still not sure if I will play Wimbledon or not.
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There is undoubtedly more pressure knowing that I have limited opportunities left to win a Junior Grand Slam. Becoming junior world No.1 was a dream come true but, for me, winning a Junior Grand Slam holds even more importance. Pressure is a part of the journey and, without it, I do not think I would be able to perform at my best.
As one of the top seed in the boys' draw this year, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. I always have high expectations for myself, but I know from experience that this is the mindset needed to win tournaments.
Managing expectations this time around might be trickier, as I am not just one of the highest-ranked ITF Juniors, but also one of the highest-ranked ATP players in the boys' draw. However, I will be trying to focus on my own game and not get too caught up in what others are doing.
If I play well, I believe I have a strong chance of winning. This approach helps me stay grounded and concentrate on my performance. We will see what happens, but I am ready to give it my all.
Taking a step back from my tennis journey, I never thought I would reach this level when I was just playing for fun on the courts of South Africa, where I was born.
Now, competing at the highest level, it sometimes feels surreal. But each step of the journey has been a learning experience, shaping me into the player I am today.
Joel in South Africa
Regardless of the outcome at Roland Garros, I will be focusing on solely playing professional tournaments and making the transition fully to the ATP Challenger Tour.
Thanks to the Junior Accelerator Programme, I will have many opportunities to make the main draw at ATP Challenger tournaments. I am also looking forward to playing again at the ATP 250 Kitzbühel event later this year.
Off the court, getting my driver's license is a top priority for me. I also have 4-5 weeks of mandatory national service, which I am not particularly looking forward to, as it takes time away from my training and the court, but it is something I have to do.
Recently, I was featured in the ITF’s Day in the Life content series. It was a fun experience as I have never really done any media pieces like this before. Many people have asked me about it, and they were surprised by how professionally I work. But it is great to give tennis enthusiasts and my friends a glimpse into my daily routines and the dedication it takes to compete at this level.
Winning my first professional title is just the beginning, I hope. I am excited for what Roland Garros will bring. With hard work and, of course, a bit of luck, anything can happen in Paris. I will be counting on your support!