Karin Knapp: “Sinner embodies the South Tyrolean mentality”

In the summer of 2015 you were ranked 33rd in the world, and less than three years later you had to hang up your tennis racket at the age of just 30. How much does that still concern you today? “I still think back very often, and there is always a fair amount of melancholy involved. Through the Knee problems The end of my career was practically forced on me, which of course eats away at you. But I’ve now gotten used to the new situation.” “If I were still playing tennis today, my daughter wouldn’t have been born.” Can you also find positive things about the decision? "Clearly. If I were still playing tennis today, my daughter Flavia probably wouldn't have been born. She turned one year old in December, a real ray of sunshine.”

Do you still find the time to stand at the tennis court? “Yes, in normal times I stand at the pitch almost every day. Together with my husband (Knapp is married to her former coach Francesco Piccari, Note: ) I run a tennis academy in Anzio with ten professional players and a lot of young athletes. In the mornings I give training sessions or work in administration, and in the afternoons I’m usually with my daughter.”

<a data-caption="Karin Knapp hat in ihrer Karriere 16 Grand-Slam-Turniere gespielt, stand bei Olympia 2016 im Einsatz und gewann 2 WTA-Titel. © APA/epa / EXPA/JFK" data-fancybox="inline-64234" target="_image" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1280x1280/img/2020/05/karin-knapp-hat-in-ihrer-karriere-16-grand-slam-turniere-gespielt-stand-bei-olympia-2016-im-einsatz-und-gewann-2-wta-titel.jpg"> Karin Knapp has played 16 Grand Slam tournaments in her career, played at the 2016 Olympics and won 2 WTA titles. © APA/epa / EXPA/JFK

In your tennis school you train, among others, Silvia Saccani, who like you comes from the Puster Valley. Does she have what it takes for an international breakthrough?

“Silvia got her first world ranking point last year, it’s the reward for a lot of hard work. Because let's not forget, living so far away from home and working towards a goal every day can also be quite grueling. The road to the top is very rocky, especially in tennis. It is difficult to make any forecasts. However, Silvia has improved significantly in many respects and has developed the right attitude to climb further. The South Tyrolean mentality certainly helps her here.”

What do you mean by South Tyrolean mentality?

“We are used to tackling things, not letting ourselves get sidetracked and subordinated a lot to a goal. Many top athletes embody these virtues, but I think that they are particularly innate in South Tyroleans. A perfect example is Jannik Sinner, who embodies this mentality.”

Sinner also comes from the Pustertal. Do you know each other personally?

“We talked for a while at the ATP tournament in Rome and I also met his parents. The boy is great. I can only wish him good health, he has all the other qualities to become a great one. It is important that he is spared serious injuries – and unfortunately I know what I’m talking about.” “Now I’m even more looking forward to my next visit home” How did Karin Knapp in Anzio experience the time of total lockdown during the Corona crisis?

“I have been de facto unemployed since the beginning of March, which is not easy. I went out shopping maybe two or three times, but otherwise I never left the house. I hope that we can open our tennis school again soon and that at least some normality can return to our lives. What is certain, however, is that due to the international nature of tennis, this sport will continue to feel the effects of the Corona crisis for a long time to come.”

How much do you long for your old home?

“Due to my active time, I am used to not being at home for several months. But this time everything is different. I can't just get in the car or on the next plane and travel to South Tyrol. This lockdown is depressing. I hope that the measures will be relaxed enough in May so that I can finally go to the Ahrntal again and see my family. Now I’m even more looking forward to my next visit home.”

Questions: Alexander Foppa

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Karin Knapp: “Sinner embodies the South Tyrolean mentality”

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