Ofner won the Salzburg Challenger by beating Neumayer

2023-07-16 10:56:46

It is his fourth Challenger title overall after Astana 2018, Puerto Vallarta 2019 and Prague 2022.

For Ofner, this first home win means another leap in the world rankings from 72nd place to the top 60 at 58th place. “It’s a relief for me now that I finally have my first title. I’ve had an incredible season so far and I’m really consistent, but the title was still missing and that’s finally done,” Ofner said happily while still on the pitch.

Honestly, he said to the audience: “I would like to come next year. I hope I don’t have to, because then I’ve kept the form.” The 27-year-old climber of the season also praised Neumayer’s performance. “Congratulations Luki. I hope you continue like this, then nothing stands in the way of you being in the top 100.”

Next week in Baastad

The only 20-year-old from Salzburg could be satisfied after his first Challenger final. “Congratulations Ofi, you have an incredible year. I said before the season that you would be in the top 100 this year. I played a really good tennis week,” said Neumayer, who moved up to 245th place and so far will rank at the top like never before.

For Ofner, the enormous consistency this year has finally been reflected in a title. The French Open round of 16 had previously reached the finals in Tenerife, Antalya, Zadar, Prague and the Ilkley grass court, but lost them all. Ofner was rewarded with the winner’s check in the amount of 19,650 euros, Neumayer received prize money of 11,570 euros.

Wolfgang Thiem’s protégé will continue on the ATP tour next week: At the start of the 250 tournament in Baastad, Ofner meets for the first time the number 6 seeded Argentinian climber Thomas Etcheverry, who last reached the quarter-finals at the French Open how Ofner himself had caused a sensation.

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