SEVILLA, September 7, 2023

Elias Ymer, a winner of six ATP Challenge Tour titles, is savoring a successful week in Southern Spain as he advanced to the quarterfinals of the LX Copa Sevilla. The 27-year-old from Sweden is currently positioned at World No. 170, eagerly eyeing a breakthrough into the coveted Top 100 rankings.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Ymer for an interview.

Tennis TourTalk: Is it your first time at the Copa Sevilla?

Elias Ymer: It’s my first time in Sevilla, my first time on the yellow clay. It’s a bit faster but I like to make new experiences. Maybe it’s good because I am coming from hard courts.

Are you a player, who needs more or less time to adapt to new surfaces?

While getting older it has become easier for me. But before going to clay was always challenging for me, as you have to change your game style. I had three days before the start of this tournament and I think I managed it pretty well. Let’s see what’s still to come.

How would you describe your own game style?

I am finding out more and more my game style at the moment. I am trying to become more aggressive and working on coming to the net more often. I have that game in me but I haven’t shown it yet. I have an offensive game but I am not really using it. That’s probably my strength and weakness at the same time.

#copasevillachallenger pista 3| E. Ymer VS P. Martínez pic.twitter.com/rigLBCXFOT

— Copa Sevilla (@CopaSevillaCh) September 7, 2023

You were travelling with your younger brother Rafael in the past. Do you have a coach right now?

I practice in Stockholm. I am looking for a coach at the moment. I have four tournaments left this year. I will take a look at it and then hopefully find someone travelling with me. I have an agent, who will support me. But during the season it’s difficult to find someone.

You come from a big tennis nation. How would you describe the current situation in Sweden?

Maybe sometimes we are caught up in the old times. Tennis is a very competitive sport and people often don’t understand what it means to be a professional player today. We were used to win a lot during the generations of Borg, Wilander and so on. But when you are stuck in this mindset and see somebody only playing in the first round of the Grand Slams, it is tough.

Your brother Mikael announced his retirement from professional tennis, which seemed to come out of the blue. Can you tell us a bit about the situation and how is it going right now?

He said what he said. He has retired and we have to accept it. If somebody feels that it is enough, we have to respect it. He made the decision and that’s his choice.

Were you surprised? Did he speak to you about it?

Yes and no, as he is in a tough position. But when you come to that conclusion, you have thought about it a lot. I respect his choice. Nothing else.

Do you know about his plans for the future?

No, you have to talk with him about this.

You were a successful junior. What are the biggest challenges when coming to senior’s level?

At junior’s level I mostly reached at least the semis of a tournament. You win at least three matches in a row. When you face players on the men’s tour, who are better than you, you start to lose more often. At least at the beginning. That maybe affects your confidence. You have to have good people around you, helping you to focus on the next round or next tournament, as it has a different dynamic. If you get through the Futures level quickly, it’s good for your path. You don’t get stuck at this level, which can be hard in mental terms. My advice to juniors would be to get out of the Futures level as quick as possible. I played with many strong guys during my junior career like Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Zverev. It’s kind of a motivation to see what they have already achieved. I know what I am capable of. It is just a matter of time. 

You travel a lot. How do you spend your free time. 

A lot of face time with family and friends (laughs). I like to go out and check new restaurants. I like to try something new in every city and google for the best restaurants. When you travel with people it obviously becomes more fun. I also write a lot about my day, about my thoughts and feelings and like to read it back later. 

Do you have any other hobbies off the court?

I am a big Mike Tyson fan. He is different from everyone else. I like his mentality and his story touches me. I also like to watch athletics. 

Thank you and all the best.