PISTOL CORNER as of October 19, 2011

The last ten days have been very important for me.

First I would like to thank the Management of Sport Scheck Center in Munich given me the opportunity and trust to direct the new Scheck Pro Base in Munich.

Obviously the facilities are, without any doubt, perfect for professional players and professional coaches and it is a pleasure for me being at the Scheck Pro Base even for many hours per day.

But there is one aspect even more important... the great people I was meeting there at the Pro Base.

I knew already Lars Uebel, a great friend and a great coach who opens the door and showed me so much credit and respect that I hope to deserve it.

The first duty of a coach is creating the atmosphere around a pro player at the place where he has to prepare pysically, mentally and technically for the highest level of tournaments at the Tennis World.
The first week I spent in Munich at the Scheck Pro Base already showed me the quality of the environment and of all people who were involved. Thanks to all of you again.

Marius Copil and Peter Gojowczyk ( in alphabetical order ) are the first two pro players that started with us last week and we already shared a good experience at the ATP Tournament in Stockholm.

Peter lost a tough match against Jan Hernych from Czech Republik with 26 67 but with good chances in the second set and he showed an amazing potential for the future. Marius qualified for the first time in his life for the Main Draw of an ATP event passing through really tough Qualifying matches. He beat Yani, an american who is considered tough to beat in two sets with 62 62 ( amazing match ), then he beat Mathias Bachinger, number 4 in Germany that we all know well because he is doing the athletic training with our athletic coach Matt, a great and  professional athletic coach who is responsible for all Pro´s at the Scheck Pro Base in Munich. Matt and Matthias Bachinger did an extremely outstanding job during the last year as Matthias Bachinger improved his ATP ranking into the Top 90 of the world. Marius beat Bachinger 64 76 with so many spectacular points from both players.

Then, the day of Marius 21st birthday,( he told me to write a warm "hi" to all of you on his behalf) he won against Cedric Stebe, a new german rising player who is almost ranked in the top hundred and has prooved this year that he is one of the best young upcoming players of the world. They played at the center court and it was full of spectators and so many other players and coaches where watching as it was a match of great intensity with chances to win for both of them. Marius beat Stebe 64 75 and qualified for the first time in his career for the Main Draw of an ATP Event.

Unfortunately Marius lost  first round Main Draw against Jarkko Nieminen from Finland, a champion who is always playng so well in Stockholm ( last year he reached  the semi-finals ). The final score was 63 76 for Nieminen but again, Marius has shown a great performance ( match was live on TV).

As a professional coach I feel great and my motivation to do my best for the Scheck Pro Base could not be any higher and better. Thank you again to all and especially to Oliver, Robert and Stefan ( in alphabetical order...),

Claudio Pistolesi

BIS BALD !!!