MADRID, September 2, 2024 (by Florian Heer)
The ITF World Tennis Tour, formerly known as “Futures” in the tennis calendar, remains a crucial platform for players with promising futures in professional sports. However, it’s not just teenagers who compete on the ITF Pro Circuit. You’ll also find players who are working on their comeback after an injury or professionals who have yet to break through. Occasionally, there are participants who don’t quite fit into any of these categories. One such player is Vitali Shvets.
At 43 years old, the Belarusian is certainly one of the veterans on the circuit. However, he is primarily a coach, traveling with his Russian protégé Kirill Mishkin. Despite his coaching responsibilities, Shvets still enjoys playing tennis and competes in various tournaments, holding his own against much younger opponents.
Hitting the court in Madrid
This was evident during the qualifying round of the Copa Alameda in Madrid, an ITF World Tennis Tour M15 event. Shvets faced off against 21-year-old Spaniard Erik Larsson. Sporting a “James Blake-inspired headband” and shorts that were almost comically long, the former ATP World No. 344 took to the court in the sweltering midday heat of the Spanish capital.
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Although Shvets isn’t the quickest on the court anymore, his experience shines through, particularly with his fast and flat forehand, which earned him several winners and left his young opponent struggling. “I wasn’t very fit today. Maybe it was a bit too hot, but my opponent wasn’t that strong, so I could win the match without playing my best tennis,” Shvets summarized his performance in very good German. He secured a 6-3, 6-1 victory and left the court sweating but satisfied.
“I still enjoy playing against the young guys, even though I’m certainly not as fit as they are. I try to keep the rallies short with a combination of serve and forehand,” Shvets explained.
From the late 1990s until 2003, Shvets lived in Berlin and played in the Bundesliga for LTTC Rot-Weiß. “It was a very nice time, and I hope to return someday to reconnect with old friends.”
Triumphs on the Pro Circuit and career ending
Shvets won three titles on the ITF Pro Circuit, with his last title coming in 2002 at a Futures event in Leun, Hesse. What led to his career ending the following year?
“There wasn’t a specific reason, and I wasn’t injured,” Shvets said. “I was young and could earn money in tournaments and at the club level. But at the time, I wasn’t satisfied with my ranking and financial situation. If I could turn back time, I would keep playing.”
In 2003, Shvets moved to Russia and started working as a tennis coach. However, around five years ago, his motivation to compete resurfaced, and he’s been actively participating in tournaments since then. Sitting at No. 687 in the ITF World Rankings, he can enter many events in the qualifying. He also competes in doubles alongside Mishkin.
“I stopped too early and just didn’t play enough; I became hungry again,” Shvets explained. He has been training with Mishkin at the Lozano-Altur Academy in Valencia since 2019.
And who wins in a generational battle between Shvets and his protégé? “Kirill wins,” Shvets answers promptly. “We’ve faced each other a few times, and he has always come out on top. He’s a good guy and has already earned a ATP Ranking point, but he still has to work hard.”
At the Copa Alameda, Shvets’ journey ended in the next round. The 23-year-old Finn, Peetu Pohjola, proved to be too strong as opponent in the singles competition. In doubles, Shvets and Mershkin are seeded second in the main draw.
