POZNAN/STARNBERG, May 22, 2026
Maks Kasnikowski remains one of only three Polish players to have won the ATP Challenger title at the Enea Poznan Open. The 21-year-old lifted the trophy in 2024 after a memorable three-set final victory over Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in front of a packed crowd at Park Tenisowy Olimpia in Poznan — a moment he still considers one of the highlights of his career.
Now ranked No. 313 in the ATP Rankings, Kasnikowski will return to Poznań once again after receiving a main draw wildcard from the tournament organizers.
“Winning a Challenger in front of the Polish crowd is an unforgettable moment,” Kasnikowski said ahead of this year’s edition.
Last season, however, the Pole arrived in Poznan under very different circumstances. Defending his title while still recovering from injury, he struggled to find rhythm after more than three months away from competition.
“It was a completely new situation for me,” he explained. “I hadn’t played tournaments for over three months because of the injury, so I was lacking match rhythm. But I really wanted to play in Poznań. In the end, I simply wasn’t ready yet to compete at the highest level.”
Kasnikowski also suffered a difficult draw, facing eventual champion Filip Misolic in the opening round.
“But if you want to win tournaments like this, you have to beat everyone,” he added.
Twelve months later, the situation has changed considerably. The Polish player says he is finally back on track physically and mentally after an extended rehabilitation period helped him regain continuity in competition.
“Fortunately, I haven’t had any major health issues over the last year,” Kasnikowski said. “Of course there were some small physical problems, but that’s normal. I’ve played a lot of matches and tournaments. The first few months were about rebuilding my form, but this year I feel like things are moving in the right direction again.”
Among the performances he remembers most fondly this season was his run at the Challenger event in Monza, where he defeated India’s Sumit Nagal after previously losing to him a year earlier.
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“That was definitely one of the matches where I played at a very high level,” he said. “I managed to turn the match around and get revenge after losing to him before.”
Although Kasnikowski admits he has ambitions of returning to Grand Slam qualifying events this season, he insists that his primary focus remains long-term development rather than rankings alone.
“I try to approach everything with a calm mindset,” he explained. “I want to keep improving my game technically and tactically. If I play well, the results will come naturally. But of course you need goals, and this year my goal is to return to Grand Slam qualifying. I still have a chance to play the US Open, and that’s my nearest target.”
The Pole hopes Poznan can once again become a turning point in his career.
“Two years ago it was exactly that, so I would definitely wish for something similar again,” he smiled.
Kasnikowski still vividly remembers the atmosphere during his title-winning run in 2024, especially the support from the home crowd during the dramatic final against Ugo Carabelli.
“There were no empty seats in the stands during the final,” he recalled. “The support from the fans was incredible. Honestly, without them it would have been very difficult to win that match because in the second set my situation was hanging by a thread. I’m very happy that I was able to achieve such a success in Poland, and I hope I can repeat it.”
Receiving another wildcard into the main draw also came as welcome news.
“I’m very grateful to tournament director Krzysztof Jordan and tournament director Ewelina Starczewska,” Kasnikowski said. “I’m happy to be able to play in Poznan again. Not having to go through qualifying will definitely help me stay fresher for the tournament. I will give everything I have.”
Before arriving in Poznan, Kasnikowski faces a busy stretch on the Challenger circuit. He is currently competing at an ITF event in Bol, Croatia, before heading to Challenger tournaments in Kosice and Perugia.
“It’s going to be an intense period,” he said. “But after that, all focus will be on Enea Poznań Open.”
