Tennis Atlantic

Interview from @TallyChallenger: Gerald Melzer

Gerald Melzer was a good sport in agreeing to an  interview with Steen Kirby following a loss in Tallahassee at the hands of Tim Smyczek. There is breaking news in this interview: 22-year-old Melzer may be the first ATP player to admit that he counts ranking points. He also said having a more famous older brother on tour is helpful, but as you might imagine, they don’t get to see each other very often.

You’ve won ten futures titles. Tell me about the difference between Futures and Challenger events.

It’s totally different. In Futures, today would have been enough. There’s a reason why (Smyczek) is #120 in the world. It’s tough. On Challengers, they don’t give you that much anymore. Not a lot of unforced errors and they fight in the end. It’s a different level.

Do you enjoy playing in the U.S.?

Yeah, definitely. I like the green clay, and especially to play the Americans on clay! Even though I lost today, I had a good week in Houston and the week after I played the semifinals in Panama. I hope I can keep it up.

Your goals for 2013?

With those points, I’m like 235 now. It’s by far my career high. It would be nice to play all the Grand Slams and to finish the year under 200.

Are you friends with Austrian compatriot Dominic Thiem?

He’s a good friend of mine, he’s a good buddy. He’s playing really well and I’m sure he’s going to make his way on the tour.

You have a good record in doubles. Do you enjoy playing doubles and does it help the singles game?

Definitely it helps. I play just for fun. Too bad I couldn’t play the last weeks like in Panama because of qualies the next week. I think it definitely helps on the volleys and it’s fun.

Is it a boon or a bane to have a well-known ATP Pro like Jurgen Melzer as your brother?

There are two sides, but it definitely helps more than it affects my game. You know how it is up there. I can only take good stuff out of it.

Do you work at all with his coach and team?

I have my own coach. I actually never see my brother. I see him five to ten times per year. It happens sometimes that I don’t see him for five or six months.