Austrian Tennis: Young Talent Honed at ÖTV Performance Center

Maria Enzersdorf, Austria – The Österreichischer Tennisverband (ÖTV) continues its commitment to developing the next generation of Austrian tennis stars, recently hosting a national training camp at the ÖTV performance center in Südstadt. The camp, held from March 13th to 15th, focused on players from the 2015 birth year, building upon a similar program conducted for the 2014 cohort two weeks prior.

Focus on Game Plan Development

The training program emphasized the importance of strategic thinking, particularly in the initial stages of a match. ÖTV U12 national coach Dominik Hutterer explained the focus was on preparing young players for international competition by instilling a proactive approach to game planning. “It’s particularly about preparing the kids – if they then play more internationally – so that they have a plan, especially for the opening of the game,” Hutterer stated. Specific areas of focus included serve placement, second ball options, return strategies, and creating short balls, as well as recognizing and responding to them effectively.

Participants and Training Regimen

The camp brought together some of Austria’s most promising young players. Representing the Niederösterreichischer Tennisverband (NÖTV) were Samuel Daxer, Nils Randolf, Tobias Gmeiner, and Julia Lugmayr. Benedikt Schuck (Steirischer Tennisverband – STTV), Sophia Haslehner and Laura Brunner (Oberösterreichischer Tennisverband – OÖTV), Josefine Miksch (Wiener Tennisverband – WTV), and Lena Rothgangel (NÖTV) also participated. Sophia Traxl (WTV) joined for the final day of training.

The three-day program followed a structured format, beginning with sports motor tests on Friday. This was followed by tennis-specific drills, physiotherapy assessments conducted by Jan Schellmann, and athletic training led by Maximilian Lainer, representing ÖTV fitness coach Philipp Wessely. Saturday included coordination training with Manfred Kogler, further athletic training, and tennis instruction from Hutterer and Caroline Ilowska. Sunday was dedicated entirely to match play.

Collaboration and Positive Feedback

Hutterer highlighted the value of collaboration among coaches, noting a significant increase in trainer participation compared to previous camps. “This time there were very, very many trainers – which was very cool because it meant that we had a lot of mutual exchange,” he said. He emphasized the importance of shared insights and cooperative training methods. Hutterer was pleased with the players’ receptiveness and behavior, as well as the high level of play demonstrated.

Future Training Camps

The ÖTV plans to continue these national training camps, with the next session scheduled for April 17th to 19th for players born in 2012. The 2013 birth year group is scheduled to participate in a camp in the fall of 2026.

The Austrian Tennis Association, founded in 1902, serves as the governing body for tennis in Austria, overseeing regional associations and their affiliated clubs. Its headquarters are located in Vösendorf, near Vienna. Österreichischer Tennisverband – Wikipedia