TC Rungg: Great anticipation and a touch of Djokovic

By Thomas Debelyak from Girlan

“It will be a day of celebration for us,” says Karl Stuefer, President of TC Rungg, bursting with anticipation. On Sunday, his protégés will play their first games in Serie A1. The men's team, which plays under the name "Rungg Südtirol Merano Speck", faces Selva Alta at home, while the women's team ("Rungg Kiku") faces TC Parioli away in Rome. People in Girlan have been looking forward to their debut in Italy's elite league for weeks, and now the time has come.

The men's team is also ready. © ANDREAS KEMENATER

The rise of the “simple village club”, as TC Rungg is described by President Stuefer, to the A1 series is a memorable feat. Especially when you consider that both Rungger teams played in Serie C in 2017. “It was certainly not planned that we would make it to the Italian upper house,” admits Stuefer, but adds: “At the same time, that means that we have already achieved something in the last few years. Somehow we are still the small village club that has nothing in common with cities like Rome or Milan. The fact that something like this comes out makes us proud.” From California directly to Girlan It is important for TC Rungg that the core of the two teams still consists of homegrown players. For the women, this is primarily Verena Meliss, who is ranked 558th in the world and is therefore currently South Tyrol's best player, but also the 17-year-old Lara Pfeifer, while for the men the experienced Patrick Prader is a figurehead. In order to survive in the A1 series, you also need external forces. That's why TC Rungg pulled off a coup this year and brought Federico Gaio on board, who is currently in position 152 in the world rankings. He took part in the qualification in Indian Wells (California) this week, but missed the jump into the main draw. That's why he will be there in the Rungger home game on Sunday.

President Karl Stuefer is looking forward to the start. © ANDREAS KEMENATER

TC Rungg has another special personality in his team, namely Marco Panichi. Since 2017, he has been the athletic trainer of none other than Novak Djokovic, who currently dominates the tennis world like no other. “We have known each other in the tennis circus for a long time. When he replaced his old team, he asked me if I would like to look after him,” explains the Roman, who describes working with the world number one as “a constant training”. “Working with Novak Djokovic is a constant education for me.” Marco Panichi Panichi will also bring the tennis aces into shape at TC Rungg. Although he is not always on site, his experience is still worth its weight in gold - also for other coaches at the club. But how does Marco Panichi get to the tranquil town of Girlan? “I have known Manuel Gasbarri (the Rungger team boss, editor's note) for a long time and used to be his athletic trainer. “He convinced me to come here,” said Panichi.

Coach Manuel Gasbarri is partly responsible for the great success.

Speaking of Gasbarri: The fact that TC Rungg is in the A1 series today is largely thanks to him. But the long-time team boss also knows: “It will be a very complicated championship. The gap between the playoffs and the playouts will be very small. It's clear to us: we're playing to save ourselves. If we could do that, it would be a great success.” The Runggers want to take the first step towards this on Sunday.

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TC Rungg: Great anticipation and a touch of Djokovic

A historic adventure begins for TC Rungg this weekend: for the first time, the Girlan tennis club will be playing in the concert of the big players, i.e. in the A1 series. Before the first championship balls are hit on Sunday, the Runggers introduced themselves to the local press.

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