This means that Schwärzler will make his debut next week at the largest domestic tournament and also at the ATP 500 level. “I couldn’t believe it at first, it’s a dream come true for me. I actually assumed a qualifying wildcard, which would have been great.” In addition, his past few weeks have not been that successful in terms of sport.
“I am extremely grateful to Herwig for trusting me and giving me this wildcard,” said Schwärzler, who won his first ATP Challenger tournament in Skopje this year. His goal is clear: “I not only want to play, but I also want to win my first match in the town hall,” he says aggressively.
TV note for Sunday
“Sport on Sunday”
6 p.m., ORF1: Dominic Thiem in conversation
Exhibition Thiem – Zverev
6.50 p.m., live on ORF1
Circle could close
A lot will also depend on the draw on Saturday (12 p.m.). Who knows, maybe there will even be a duel with the outgoing Thiem. This would close a circle, as Thiem had ended Thomas Muster’s career with his first main competition match in Vienna.
Schwärzler is looked after in Vienna by the Spanish coach Juan Ozon-Llacer, the former coach of the Chilean Nicolas Jarry. “We are in a kind of testing phase and are just getting to know each other better. So far it’s working very well,” said Schwärzler.
“Impulse” for Schwärzler’s career
“We want to offer Joel Schwärzler the opportunity to present himself on the biggest domestic tennis stage. We are convinced that he will be able to gain very important experience that will be very valuable to him and give him an impetus for his future career,” said tournament boss Straka, explaining the decision.
For the qualification that begins on Saturday, he awarded the wild cards to the Lower Austrian Jurij Rodionov, the French Richard Gasquet and the Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta.
