Grasscourt guns: Florian Mayer

Despite a loss to No.8 seed Dominic Thiem in the first round at Wimbledon, it’s been a grasscourt season to remember for Germany’s Florian Mayer.

Ranked world No.192 and requiring a protected ranking simply to take his place in the main draw, the 32-year-old stormed to the biggest title of his career at the ATP 500 Gerry Weber Open in Halle.

The performance boosted his ranking back inside the top 100 and added to the already impressive grasscourt resume of the two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist.

“It was the biggest career victory, so really nice for me. Still cannot really believe it and unbelievable feeling,” he told tennismash on Wednesday at Wimbledon.

“I did 500 points in one week so I’m back in the top 100 (ranked 80th). I have the chance to go higher, come back to the top 50. I’m turning 33 in a few months, so I wanted to stay healthy, have fun on the court and just enjoy the rest of my career.”

A week earlier, Mayer won through to the quarterfinals on grass in Stuttgart, beginning in qualifying and winning four straight matches before falling in two tiebreaks to Roger Federer.

We sat down with the German to find out a bit more about why the lawns typically bring out his best tennis.

Tennismash: You’ve won in Halle and Wimbledon is your most successful Grand Slam tournament. What makes this surface so good for you, and why do you seem so comfortable on it?

Florian Mayer: “I think I move very good on grass. I play very flat, no spin, so it makes it easier for me. On clay court my forehand is maybe not so good but here it stays low. I was serving really good the whole grasscourt season, so that’s perfect for my game.”

What inspired your playing style? The flat forehand, that way of playing?

“Just my own style.”

Was it a coach, or something that developed individually?

“Individually.”

When did you first play on grass?

“2004.”

You’d never played on it as a child?

“No.”

How did you fare with your flat forehand on clay as a junior in Germany?

“Not too bad. I was No.8 in the world in ITF juniors, so that’s OK.”

You’ve had success in reaching finals on all surfaces, and also winning a claycourt title (Bucharest, 2011). Would you say you’re comfortable on all surfaces or is there a distinct liking for grass?

“For sure grass is the best surface (for me) but it’s only three or four weeks per year. I can play on clay and hard court, it’s OK for me.”

So you must be a fan of the fact the grasscourt season has been extended an extra week?

“Yeah, for me it’s perfect. I can play Stuttgart and Halle, make one week off, and then play Wimbledon. It’s perfect.”

Would you say this is your favourite segment of the tennis calendar, the European grasscourt season?

“I mean the whole European season, starting in April on clay until after Wimbledon in Hamburg, for me it’s nice to stay in Europe, not far from home. Flights between one or two hours. It’s nice to be closer to home, rather than longer trips to the United States or Australia.”

Which are your favourite stops on tour, particularly at this time of the year?

“Of course always Wimbledon. Hamburg is very nice for me. Also my home tournament in Munich.”

When you first stepped on a grass court, you said it was 2004. What was the experience like? Was it a strange thing to adjust to?

“No. I mean it was the first time I played, and I played quarterfinals here, so it was really nice.”

Of anyone playing today, who do you think has the game that’s best suited to grass?

“Roger Federer I would say is the best grasscourt player because he’s moving so naturally, playing really nice slice, good serve. But he’s 34 and there’s a young generation coming. Right now Novak Djokovic is No.1 and he’s the guy to beat here.”