Philipp Kohlschreiber: I’m Not Going To Win A Slam, But Give Me Some Credit For Being Top 20

by Tom Gainey | February 23rd, 2014, 10:19 am
  • 5 Comments

Veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber hit out as his national media on Saturday in Dubai. The German told a press audience that in wake of the German glory years with Boris Becker, Michael Stich and Steffi Graf, it’s hard to get any credit in the country unless you are a Grand Slam champion.

“The German media is not very hard, but sometimes we wish we would get a little bit more credit for what we do. Those days [of Becker and Stich] are over and I also wish to be a superstar like Becker,” the 30-year-old Kohlschreiber told the Gulf News. “Obviously, I am not that good enough to win a Grand Slam but I think I still do a very good job to be the World No. 20. Sometimes it would be nice to get a bit more credit for this.”

Currently ranked No. 25, Kohlscreiber reached a career-high 16 in in 2012 the same year he made his best Slam result, a quarterfinal at Wimbledon.


The 7th-seeded German will open against De Bakker in Dubai.


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5 Comments for Philipp Kohlschreiber: I’m Not Going To Win A Slam, But Give Me Some Credit For Being Top 20

Hippy Chic Says:

Well i actually like Phil.K but this is kind of a defeatest attitude to take,i suppose this is what seperates the good and the greats of the game,is that you would never actually here them talking like this,they simply let their tennis rackets do the talking.

February 23rd, 2014 at 11:22 am


Alexandra Says:

With an attitude like that he will never get credit. And I’m not talking about the media, more the view of the german tennis fans. It all starts with his personality, which is not a good one. It’s not so much about Becker, Stich or Graf. Obviously it would help if he would have a great result at a slam just once, but that only concerns how the media treats him. He just doesn’t come across as very likeable. I heard that from many fans here in Germany. Plus, he has done things in the past that made the fans angry.

February 23rd, 2014 at 11:41 am


Brando Says:

He’s 30 years old: him saying he won’t win a Slam is just the honest truth as opposed to some poor attitude. Your ambition should be based on the basis of your talent. Now he knows- like every observer who’s ever seen him play- winning a GS was never really on for him. His talent isn’t great enough to pull it off. Can’t blame him for saying the truth.

February 23rd, 2014 at 12:34 pm


Alexandra Says:

Well, if you complain about not getting credit for what you have done, you should have some basis for that. It’s not about him saying he won’t win a slam. That’s not actually a big secret. Of course he can’t compare to people like Becker, Graf, Stich, he can’t even compare to Haas or Kiefer. Plus, people who followed for example Becker were fans of him not of the sport as such.
And it’s not like he has no talent. He can hit some great shots at times. But there have been players who have done better with less obvious talent.
Tennis is just not that big anymore in Germany. That is a fact. And with almost no tennis on tv, there won’t be much change in the near future.

February 24th, 2014 at 9:54 am


James Says:

I really like Kohl. Always tries his best on the courts and plays intelligent, skillful tennis. Respectable guy. Realistic attitude. I’d definitely like to see him pull a big upset this year…and hope he wins a title or two.

February 24th, 2014 at 11:31 am

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