A skiing accident changed his life forever. He had the mental strength to reinvent himself and find ways to become the best in the world (not just singles, but doubles) in the sport he loves so much. We are talking about Michael Jeremias, one of the most important figures in wheelchair tennis.

Michael Jeremias says that mentality affects tennis and demands that Simona Halep be sentenced as soon as possible: “She is no longer 15 or 20 years old.”

Attending Roland Garros as an analyst for France Television, Michael agreed to talk to HotNews.ro about the qualities needed to become world number one in tennis, the future of the white sport without Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, and much more. – publicizing Simona Halep’s doping case.

HotNews.ro: What does it take for a player to become number one in tennis?

Michael Jeremiah: “First of all, to become number one, you have to believe in yourself, be ambitious and really believe that you can achieve any goal. This is what the best athletes in the world have done.

Then you need to make the right decisions: gather the right people around you: let them believe in you, as you do. You need to understand that it is not enough to just work, you need to work a lot.

Ever since I’ve known myself, I’ve worked hard. My most important weapon was work discipline. I was lucky to have the best people around, ambitious people who believed the same as I did.”

HotNews.ro: What is the difference in modern tennis, mental or physical preparation?

Michael Jeremiah: “I think you really need both. Of course, it is important to have appropriate psychological training. It’s hard (not being a competitive athlete) because you have to make a lot of sacrifices from a very young age.

It’s not easy to focus on what may never happen, because many athletes never become great champions. That is why you should have strong people by your side. You need a high level of mental training.

It is not only backhand, forehand and fitness. At the end of the day, all the best players can do almost anything with the racket, run faster and faster, hit better and longer, but ultimately the whole brain is the key to everything you want to do.”

HotNews.ro: What is the reason why French players have not won Roland Garros for so many years?

Michael Jeremiah: Let’s look at the young generation, which today is not young at all: Gasquet, Monfils, Tsonga. They were close (not to success at Roland Garros or any other Grand Slam), but let’s remember how many players, French or any other country, managed to win a Grand Slam in the last 20 years?

We should not think that all countries have a crisis when their players do not win at Roland Garros or elsewhere (none of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have actually monopolized major tournaments).

Somewhere we have to morally help them to be ready. I want to see athletes who want to constantly push their limits, that’s the only way you have a chance to get what you want.”

HotNews.ro: What will the tennis of the future be like without Federer, Nadal and Djokovic?

Tennis experienced its most important period with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

“Mr. Perfect” bid a tearful farewell to tennis at the Laver Cup in 2022, the Iberian was forced to miss Roland Garros 2023 due to physical problems, and the only one who can play high-level tennis in the BIG 3 is Nole.

But we are sure that the white sport is in the safe hands of Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Run and other young colleagues in the ATP chain.

Michael Jeremiah: “We already have Alcaraz, who has a fantastic level of intensity. He’s already number one, but it’s great that he believes he can achieve his goals. And I think he’s going to win a lot of grand slams. We also have Rune, and like Carlos, he has no fear. They don’t care, they believe in their own strength.

For women, we already have Svyatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina, Koko Gauf, who is still very young, and there is also Mira Andreeva, who plays incredibly. This is a new generation, and let’s not forget what Andreeva said at the press conference: she wants to break Djokovic’s record. Let’s remember that he is 16 years old.

HotNews.ro: What is the difference between a Paralympic medal and a Grand Slam title?

Michael Jeremiah: “Unfortunately, the Paralympic Games are not covered as much as they should be, and the media should do more in this regard. This will be the challenge next year when we organize the Paralympics in Paris.

When I won my first doubles gold in Beijing (No. 2008), I had the media coverage to match. It was also something special when I won my first singles medal in 2004 (not in Athens – a bronze medal).

The task is to try to make a Grand Slam victory as special for athletes as a medal at the Paralympics.”

HotNews.ro: How does the doping case involving Simona Halep look from the outside?

Michael Jeremiah: “I was shocked to admit (not when he found out about Simona Halep’s positive test). I know her, I played with her last year at Patrick’s Academy (without Muratoglu). He also came to my tournament (French Riviera Open), which is the biggest wheelchair tennis competition in the world and takes place right after Roland Garros. She is an incredible player and one of the kindest people I know.

I know her and I know she did nothing wrong but the athletes are exposed but it shocks me that we are not allowing her to defend herself (No ITIA). This is too long a procedure. In fact, we are talking about the fact that you are sacrificing the career of a person who is no longer 15 or 20 years old. You have to speed up the process somehow to give it a chance to defend itself.

She deserves it for everything she’s achieved in women’s tennis and I wish her the best of luck because she honestly deserves it.”

Wheelchair tennis is explained by Michael Jeremiash.

Who is Michael Jeremiah?

Michael Jeremias was born on October 15, 1981 in Paris, a former wheelchair tennis player. Throughout his career, he was coached by Christian Dupuis and Benjamin Jeremias.

He started playing tennis at the age of 6. On February 7, 2000, his life changed forever after he was involved in a skiing accident (while on vacation in Avoriaz) that left him paralyzed.

He rose to the No. 1 doubles position in 2004 and the highest singles position in 2005.

Won a bronze medal in singles at the Paralympics in Athens (2004). He also added gold in doubles in Beijing (2008) and bronze, also in doubles, in London in 2012.

He won six Grand Slam doubles titles: Australian Open (2013), Roland Garros (2009), Wimbledon (2009, 2012) and US Open (2005, 2006).

One of the highlights of my career and life: being the flag bearer for France at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro (2016).

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