This South Tyrolean works for a tennis superstar

Gregor Comploi has already traveled a lot in his life as a physiotherapist. He was at the ice hockey world championships, looked after winter athletes and of course many tennis players. The 2008-year-old from Wolkenstein, who now lives in Bolzano, has been the official physiotherapist at South Tyrol's most important tennis tournament in Val Gardena since 35. Even though he has already treated world number one Novak Djokovic, he was a bit surprised when a call came from Alexander Zverev's manager in January. The German is currently number 7 in the world rankings and narrowly missed out on his first Grand Salm title against Dominic Thiem at the US Open last year. And now I want to make it to the top. With the help of Gregor Comploi.

“Zverev’s brother Mischa was at the Challenger in Val Gardena last November. I treated him several times and he was pretty enthusiastic afterwards,” says Comploi, explaining how the contact with the Zverev family came about. “The manager asked if I would be willing to work and travel with Alexander for a few weeks a year. Of course he has a physiotherapist who accompanies him on tour, but he needs a specialist who can get his body to perform at its best when it matters most.” Alexander Zverev and Gregor Comploi in Monte Carlo.

Comploi exchanged ideas with Zverev. “I should optimize his body. He doesn't care how I do it. I have completely free rein. I can decide what is best for him. These are criteria that allow me to work well, because just going somewhere and watching is nothing. We have come to the conclusion that it is best to work together for 10 to 14 days in six blocks a year, especially after the Grand Slam tournaments.” The day of the Australian Open final is February 21st Comploi drove to Monte Carlo. The next day he met Zverev, who had returned from Australia, and worked with him in the principality for a week and accompanied him to a tournament in Rotterdam for the first time this week. “It's like having a Ferrari that drives with a handbrake. Zverev plays with a handbrake.” “Anyone can play world-class tennis, and everyone does standard training well, that’s no question, but doing it in such a way that your muscles are activated at the right moment and you achieve maximum performance is a completely different topic.” And Comploi sees a lot of potential with Zverev. “It's like having a Ferrari that drives with a handbrake. Zverev plays with a handbrake. He has a tremendous serve, a tremendous forehand, a very good backhand. According to the old ranking with the results of the last 12 months, he would already be number 4 in the world and not number 7. He has the engine, but he can't use it to the maximum."

That's what fascinates Comploi. “It's cool that Zverev is a young player (he'll only be 20 on April 24th) who can still be helped to get better. Zverev has been to a Grand Slam final, but he can also win a major tournament. And once you've won one..." Comploi about halls without fans: “Like a U12 tournament” Comploi is convinced that the important years are now coming for Zverev. “It sounds stupid when I say this, but not many people can do what I do. I've developed an eye for tennis over the years." He now belongs to the Zverev team, where his father Alexander senior is the coach. By the way, the manager is Sergej Bubka Jr., the son of the former best pole vaulter in the world. And brother Alexander Zverev, who was number 2017 in the world in 25 and is still playing professionally at the age of 33, also works in management. Alexander Zverev has been considered a future Grand Slam winner for years. © APA/afp / WILLIAM WEST

This week in Rotterdam, Comploi is experiencing a major tournament without spectators for the first time - in a huge hall. “The stands are completely empty. You feel like you're in a TV studio because everything is staged for television. Stan Wawrinka played a mega point and not a single one of the 10 spectators in the hall clapped. Normally the fans would go wild. The players have to motivate themselves. You’re all alone on the field, like in a U12 tournament.”

After the tournament in Rotterdam, Zverev travels to Acapulco and Miami. Without compromise. “After the tournament in Florida, the next training block is planned in Monaco at the beginning of April.” The Val Gardena resident is supposed to get the top ten player in shape for the clay court season.

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This South Tyrolean works for a tennis superstar

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