Yannick Hanfmann is currently in excellent form and has won the French Open fought spectacularly into the second round in Paris. The 31-year-old is currently realizing his potential.
Arguably the loudest and most enthusiastic of the crowds to date, the group of fans that lined up in the stands on Court 8 at Roland Garros has been the place to be French Open. It seemed as if the supporters had traveled straight from a men’s tour from Mallorca to Paris to give the 31-year-old tennis professional the best possible support.
They tirelessly cheered on Yannick Hanfmann for the entire five sets, sang his name, chanted from both sides of the tennis court – and thus almost carried Hanfmann to a victory that seemed unattainable in the meantime.
Strong results on ash
Hanfmann spectacularly defeated the Brazilian Thiago Monteiro 6:3, 7:5, 6:7, 6:7, 6:4 after being almost uncatchable 1:4 behind in the fifth set. Hanfmann was actually already eliminated in the qualifying round, moved up as “Lucky loser” into the main field.
And then this triumph: The current number 65 in the tennis world rankings had never reached the second round in Paris before, nor had he ever won a five-set match. “I’m currently riding a small wave and I hope to ride it as far as possible”said Hanfmann after the success.
Right now, in the early autumn of his career, Hanfmann is really blossoming. His last results on the red ashes were all impressive. Quarterfinals in Rome, second round in Madrid, round of 16 in Munich and semifinals in Houston.
Hanfmann is showing the consistency in his basic strokes, which he has never really been able to develop in all the years before. His physical condition is also extremely good. He seems to have reached the point where he can (finally) realize his full potential.
Hard of hearing since adolescence
As a boy, Hanfmann would have preferred to be a footballer at first, playing in the youth team of Karlsruher SC in his hometown. The problem: Hanfmann is hard of hearing and therefore had difficulties finding his way on the soccer field at some point.
“At some point I stopped hearing the shouts of my team-mates and the commands from the coach”, he revealed a long time ago. In tennis, this problem is not so big. “Here I see my opponents.” Sister and father are also affected by the hearing loss. Hanfmann has been wearing a hearing aid for several years.
Beaten some top players
It’s no longer a problem for him. He sometimes tells the referees to speak a little louder. And he doesn’t understand everything that the viewers say about it. However, he should have noticed the German tennis fans in Paris because of their unusual volume.
On Thursday (June 1st, 2023) Hanfmann meets Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo (24), number 23 in the world, in round two. An even greater challenge for Hanfmann. Most recently, he had already beaten top players like Russia’s Andrey Rublev (7) and Taylor Fritz (8). Hanfmann would have to have the self-confidence to be able to compete and survive against Cherundolo at eye level.
Hanfmann can once again be sure of the support of the German fans. They’re sure to be clamoring to carry him to victory again.