Dzumhur emerges from strife
Beyond the many lessons in tennis and tradition that can be found at Wimbledon, is another one in geography.
More than 50 separate nations are represented across the gentlemen’s and ladies’ singles draws in 2018 – and while many players of those nations have followed the path of many well-known compatriots to the All England Club, others are blazing their own impressive trail.
None more so than No.27 men’s seed Damir Dzumhur from Bosnia-Herzegovina, who has arguably had to work far harder than most to forge his place on tour.
The first man from his nation ever to contest the main draw of a Grand Slam event, the three-time champion on the ATP Tour continued an impressive rise as he defeated Maximilian Marterer to progress past the first round of every major this season.
“Every journey is long and every journey is tough but I made it to Grand Slams, I made it to big tournaments and I was always going step-by-step,” Dzumhur related of the progress since he first experienced tennis as a five-year-old in Sarajevo.
Developing his game at Zetra Olympic Hall, an indoor centre still damaged by the civil war that ravaged his city between 1992 and 1996, Dzumhur has recalled how wood from the surface of the makeshift court was taken by refugees hoping to warm themselves in sub-zero temperatures.
But with the support of his family – especially father, Nerfid, a tennis coach who remains a key part of Dzumhur’s team – the dedicated young player made the necessary improvements. “Every year my ranking was better,” he recalled. “Every year my game was better. I just felt that I can make it to big tournaments and I can make it to big results.”
As Dzumhur continues on that path alongside top-100 countryman Mirze Basic, interest in tennis is steadily rising in Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Everybody’s following tennis, everybody’s now watching my matches, following the Davis Cup team,” said Dzumhur, who embraces his ability to make a long-term impact.
“My plan is to even develop it more and once I’m at the end of my career probably I will open an academy or do anything to get kids to come to tennis and play tennis and to try to make somebody who can be really good and go far to professional level,” he related.
Jabeur breaking new ground
Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur equally understands the influence she can have as a pro player without a strong history in tennis. The world No.130, who earned a wildcard into Wimbledon after winning an ITF event in Manchester, became the first Arabic woman to win at the All England Club since countrywoman Selima Sfar in 2005 when she defeated Viktorija Golubic on Monday.
“I’m very proud to represent the Arab world, or Tunisia. For me it’s a very good example for the kids and the teenagers who wants to become one day and play with the best players,” she smiled.
While joking that to make it as a professional from Tunisia it’s “very hard to beat football” the national No.1 also takes pride in her unique position. “I’m grateful that I’m Tunisian. Many people they watched me [against Golubic],” she pointed out. “I’m very happy and I hope that I can continue and make Tunisians proud.”
Led by Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, Greece is another nation rising to tennis prominence. The 19-year-old Tsitsipas is the first man from his nation to even hold a top-100 ranking – and from his current world No.35 position, he’s set to rise even higher after his first-ever win, over Frenchman Gregoire Barrere, at Wimbledon.
While 37th-ranked countrywoman Sakkari couldn’t quite replicate that progress in the women’s draw – losing in three tough sets to Sofia Kenin – the 22-year-old took heart in the continued interest that she and Tsitsipas are generating in her nation.
“We’re doing a very good job both of us. Stefanos is great, he is doing extremely well. I think the sky’s the limit for him. I think he has a lot of opportunities to become a top 10 player soon,” said Sakkari. “It’s great for our country. Actually tennis is growing because of us now.”
There’s a particular pride for Sakkari in overcoming more challenges than most to develop. “We never had any tournaments. We only had a few Challengers a few years ago when I was still very young. I mean, I never got a wild card in my life to compete somewhere. I had to always play qualifying,” she related. “That made it quite tough but I’m very glad at where I am now.”
Fund produces champions
A common thread for many emerging players is the support they’ve received through the Grand Slam Development Fund, which was originally established in 1986 to encourage and increase competitive opportunities in developing tennis regions. The Fund has contributed more than $50 million since its inception, with more than $3 million available for distribution in 2018.
Some of the highest achievers in today’s tour have benefited, including Grand Slam champions in 2009 US Open titlist Juan Martin del Potro and recently crowned Roland-Garros winner Simona Halep, from Argentina and Romania respectively.
There’s every chance that another player from a “new” tennis nation will rise into prominence at Wimbledon. There are 37 players competing in The Championships to have received help from the Fund, including Radu Albot, who at world No.81 became the highest-ever ATP player from Moldova earlier this season.
While each of those players would cherish the practical support provided, many can equally take credit for how they’ve built on their opportunities and provided inspiration to others.
Dzumhur, an early admirer of Carlos Moya and Pat Rafter before Roger Federer became his hero, is emerging as a natural leader. “It’s always nice when you know that somebody’s following you, somebody’s cheering for you,” he said. “But being a role model for somebody is a great thing and then you know achieved something great in your life.”
And while Sakkari has already earned more than a million dollars in prize money, there are other unexpected elements of her rise that are infinitely more rewarding. “I look at the kids back home and I see how they look at me. And it’s a very nice feeling to feel like they are looking out for you,” she said.
“Actually, if you would tell me a few years ago that you would be like a role model for Greek tennis I would never believe you.”
