After the German tennis players were relegated from the world group of the Billie Jean King Cup, Rainer Schüttler left his future as team boss open.
“I’ve only just come off the pitch,” said the ex-professional when asked whether he would continue in the second class of the most important team competition in 2026. “We’re flat and empty for now. Then we’ll take a look at it.”
Schüttler announced that he wanted to speak to the players in December. He has been team boss since 2020 and said that he usually always has one-year contracts with the DTB that are extended. “There are a few little things that should be changed,” he said. By this he meant aspects such as training or the organization of national team meetings.
DTB boss on question about separation: “We’re not into football”
Association President Dietloff von Arnim told the German Press Agency when asked about a possible separation from Schüttler due to relegation: “We are not a football club.” He recalled that the German team was missing all three top 50 players in the decisive duel with Belgium. That was bad luck, he said, but added: “We will certainly sit down in the executive committee now and ask: Why didn’t it work?”
The German selection lost in the playoffs at home in Ismaning near Munich, both against Turkey on Friday and against Belgium on Sunday. “We are very disappointed, everyone is devastated,” said team boss Schüttler. “We imagined it differently.”