MUNICH, February 19, 2015

Germany’s top-ranked player Philipp Kohlschreiber met the media at BMW Open’s official Hotel Rilano 65 days ahead of the tournament. The world number 22 is looking forward to his eleventh participation at the venue of the MTTC Iphitos.

“I am really keen on playing the clay court season. Unfortunately, I only had a short appearance in Munich last year but I hope for a longer stay in 2015,” Kohlschreiber told, referring to his first round defeat against Denis Istomin in 2014. “I always enjoy playing in Munich. My family and friends are here and the tournament has actually been the starting point of my professional career. It is a great venue with a lot of good players in the draw,” the 31-year-old German, who was born in Augsburg only about 80 kilometres away from Bavaria’s capital, named a couple of good reasons for spectators to attend the tournament in April.

Philipp Kohlschreiber

Tournament organizer Michael Mronz announced the start of Gael Monfils at this year’s BMW Open. “Having Gael back in Munich is great. He is a very entertaining player and with Philipp, Tommy Haas and Roberto Bautista Agut, we are able to present a very attractive list of players. More than 3.000 tickets have already been sold,” Mronz told.

Michael Mronz

“Gael is maybe the most athletic player on the tour but also a bit freakish. When you play against him, you never know what will happen. You always hope that he isn’t having his best day,” Kohlschreiber appreciated the participation of the Frenchman. Tournament director Patrick Kühnen will have final conversations with more players concerning their possible participation in Munich. Fabio Fognini and Alexander Zverev are likely candidates.

“I haven’t had the best possible start into the season like it also happened last year. Later in 2014, I gained the title in Düsseldorf and I had some good results on clay and grass, which I hope I can repeat this season,” the German told about his start into the season with only two victories, both of them against Paul-Henri Mathieu. “I took one week off from tennis and now I’m ready for the next tournaments. The sun in Dubai will hopefully have a positive endorphin effect to me as well,” Kohlschreiber added with a smile heading for the United Arab Emirates this afternoon.

Carlo Thränhardt is supposed to support Kohlschreiber in order to achieve better results. The former European Champion in high jumping is the German’s new mental and fitness coach. “If you are a world class player like Philipp, ranked inside the top 25, there is not much to improve,” Thränhardt told. “Tennis is a very complex sport and results always depend on the form on the day. I simply try to set the best possible preconditions for the player to compete successfully. It is also very important that the player is really in the right mood to win matches,” the former wold class athlete said and added that he will try to have a positive influence on the German Davis Cup team as well.

Carlo Thränhardt

Kohlschreiber also seemed to be happy with the new constellation in the German team with Michael Kohlmann as new captain. “I know Michael for a very long time. We didn’t need to introduce ourselves. He called me and we had a pleasant conversation. He wanted to know my opinion about the Davis Cup situation, introduced the new team and said that he wants to nominate me for the next tie,” Kohlschreiber is happy to be back in the team. Germany will face France in Frankfurt from March 6 to 8.

Philipp Kohlschreiber and Michael Mronz in front of Hotel Rilano

Philipp Kohlschreiber (left) and Michael Mronz (right) launched “Tommy Haas – Day” on 28 April, where the former world number two will play his first round match