Yosuke Watanuki has loved a robust begin to the yr following a career-best season on the ATP Challenger Tour. The Japanese participant is doing all of it along with his brother by his aspect.
The 24-year-old, who’s competing at this week’s Monterrey Challenger, is coached by his brother Keisuke, who’s roughly 5 years older. Yosuke, World No. 130 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, claims they’re a dynamic duo.
“I believe it really works for me and makes us stronger,” Watanuki stated. “He cares about me a lot. Generally individuals suppose it is not ok as a result of he wasn’t a high participant earlier than, he is younger, or as a result of he hasn’t coached a High-50 participant. However we’re going up collectively, it is good for us. He can hit and he is good with the psychological aspect of the sport. I believe that is actually good for me. Generally we combat, like brothers do!”
Watanuki has constantly stored his coach’s nook throughout the household. Earlier than Keisuke got here on board, the eldest of the three brothers, Yusuke, was his full-time coach till about three years in the past.
After a robust end to 2022, Watanuki isn’t promoting himself brief for what he can obtain this yr. The previous junior World No. 2 has his eyes set on climbing into the High 100 and past to have a shot at fulfilling a childhood dream.
“My aim for this yr is High 80,” Watanuki stated. “As a result of subsequent yr is the [Paris] Olympics, I actually wish to play there. It is my dream. And High 80 will give me an opportunity to play the Olympic video games subsequent yr.”
Watanuki’s late-season surge in 2022 wasn’t with out challenges. Three video games into his first-round match on the ATP 250 in Seoul, the Japanese star rolled his ankle and was pressured to retire in opposition to Jaume Munar. Watanuki then forfeited his wild card on the ATP 500 occasion in Tokyo, which might’ve been his first tour-level occasion on dwelling soil since 2018, when he superior via qualifying en path to his maiden tour-level main-draw victory (d. Haase).
After recovering from the ankle harm, Watanuki went on a sizzling streak. He received 14 of 15 Challenger-level matches to shut the season, together with back-to-back titles on the Kobe and Yokkaichi Challengers. The primary week of the Asian Challenger swing, Watanuki was a finalist in Yokohama, Japan, earlier than profitable 10 consecutive matches.
“I used to be taking part in effectively these three weeks,” Watanuki stated. “I used to be getting back from harm, I hadn’t performed that effectively the primary half of the yr, and my rating had dropped. However I attempted to play my greatest and I used to be shocked to be within the Yokohama remaining. Then I went to Kobe, beautiful place, I received my first Challenger title there (2019). The primary week, Yokohama, I used to be so pleased. The second I used to be extra shocked [to be in another final].”
This yr, Watanuki was a semi-finalist on the season-opening Canberra Challenger, the place he misplaced to eventual champion Marton Fucsovics. Watanuki constructed upon his momentum to qualify for his maiden Grand Slam on the 2023 Australian Open.
“Once I obtained into the principle draw, I used to be so pleased as a result of I attempted to qualify for a Grand Slam seven instances earlier than,” Watanuki stated. “I had made the ultimate spherical of qualifying two instances and misplaced each. I used to be slightly bit nervous this time as a result of I needed to make a Grand Slam this yr for certain. Once I received the ultimate spherical of qualifying, I used to be so pleased. The primary match, I used to be so excited to play.”
Watanuki earned a straight-sets victory over Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech within the opening spherical earlier than falling to eventual quarter-finalist Sebastian Korda.
The Saitama native is the third highest-ranked Japanese male, solely behind Yoshihito Nishioka and Taro Daniel. Watanuki attracts inspiration from former World No. 4 and countryman Kei Nishikori, who was a finalist on the 2014 US Open and earned the bronze medal on the 2016 Rio Olympic video games.
Watanuki shared that he admires what Nishikori has achieved and the way he’s carried the torch for Japanese tennis the previous decade. Nishikori, who has been plagued with accidents, has not competed since October 2021. The 12-time tour titlist has even provided recommendation to Watanuki.
“Kei made historical past,” Watanuki stated. “A Japanese man to be World No. 4, that is good for [other Japanese players] as a result of we expect, ‘We will be there as a result of one other Japanese participant is there!’ Additionally, Naomi [Osaka] profitable 4 Grand Slams. They provide me a lot energy like, ‘I will be there!’
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“Additionally, Kei advised me some issues technically and mentally. It isn’t straightforward to get recommendation from a High-4 participant, however that’s so good for me.”
Life on the Challenger Tour isn’t straightforward. With fixed touring and strain mounting as gamers goal for his or her skilled breakthrough, Watanuki has a novel escape from tennis.
“Once I keep in Japan, I like to drive my automotive after midnight, late-night drives!” Watanuki stated. “Tennis will be so traumatic, a lot strain. Once I drive in that second, it is like I really feel nothing. It’s enjoyable.”
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from Tennis – ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/VbuHwYN
