CADOLZBURG, January 20, 2025
Briton Hamish Stewart enjoyed a successful week in Franconia, a Bavarian region in Germany, by reaching the final of the second edition of the Cadolzburg Open. The 25-year-old Scot only lost to home favourite Justin Engel in Sunday’s championship match but can be pleased with his performance throughout the week at the ITF World Tennis Tour M15 event held indoors on carpet.
We met Stewart during the final weekend for an interview.
Tennis TourTalk: Hamish, how would you describe your own game style?
Hamish Stewart: I think that I have a pretty good serve. I like to serve and dictate off my serve. I like to take control of my forehand as well, going forwards as often as possible.
You’re from the greater region of Glasgow. Can you tell us a bit about you?
I grew up in Glasgow and played there throughout my childhood. Then I studied in the United States for five years. Then I moved back and I have been playing tennis professionally ever since.
Why did you choose to go to the States and what did you study?
I chose the States because I wasn’t good enough as a junior to go professional. I also wanted to study. I really wanted to get my degree. I love the idea of American Universities. It was always a dream of mine growing up. For my undergrad I studied finance and business at Tulane University. For my master’s at the University of Georgia I studied business.
When did you graduate?
I graduated in May 2022.
What was the most challenging part of entering the Pro Circuit?
It’s very different from college tennis. It is more individual than being on a team at university. That was definitely a big learning curve, and I struggled at first with it.
As a tennis professional you travel a lot. How do you usually spend a week at a tournament?
I need to travel a bit more. I only did 20 weeks last year. My Play Station makes travelling easier (laughs). I haven’t really gone into cities too much. It depends where you go. Here I have been quiet this week. I haven’t really had time to visit Nuremberg or the closer area.
Do you get any financial support from the Federation?
I fall under Tennis Scotland, not under the LTA. They do help me for sure. They provide training in terms of courts, free balls and a coach. It doesn’t include travel but at the base. Along with gym work, which is great. They also run a prize money series in Scotland that massively helps me. I played a few tournaments there last year and it helped me financially a lot.
Are there any league competitions?
No, unfortunately not. I used to play German club league at TC GW Luitpoldpark in Munich. I played for them for the last two years.
Munich is not that far from Cadolzburg. So, do you know a bit about the Bavarian region here?
A little bit. I played quite a few matches here and away matches as well. I love Munich, which is a really cool city. I am a big fan of the club league in general.
What are your hobbies off the tennis court?
I recently got into Padel. I also play a bit of golf, both often along with my friends.
Padel is pretty popular in Spain. What about the UK? There are also other racket sports coming up like Pickleball…
I don’t like Pickleball. I love Padel. It’s good fun. My friends are pretty competitive. I think Padel is becoming big in Britain. Like a business model it makes a lot of sense there. A lot of venues are opening.
What about tennis in general in Scotland? There is not only Andy Murray but also other guys coming up. You also played doubles with Jacob Fearnley on the tour. He is making some waves at the Australian Open right now.
Yes, big waves!
Are you still in touch?
We haven’t spoken in a while, but we have known each other for a long time. He is doing amazing. His rise is crazy. There were also a lot of good players in the past, who are working as a coach now like Jonny O’Mara and Colin Fleming. There are still a couple of players on the tour like Scott Duncan but Jacob is ahead of the pack.
Some kind of a role model for you?
It’s definitely inspirational. That’s for sure.
You played your third final on the Pro Circuit and your second on carpet after Forbach two years ago. It’s a pretty rare surface on the tour but you seem to feel comfortable on it, right?
The courts in Scotland and Britain in general are very quick. I grew up on artificial grass and indoor hard and carpet as well. All of which are very fast surfaces. With my game style it helps me out. It helps my serve and flatter groundstrokes. It suits me. It’s my second tournament on carpet and my second final. I think I have to find some more carpet tournaments (laughs).
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How will your next couple of weeks look like and what are your goals for the season?
I will now go back to Britain playing some 25K indoors. From there I am going to see, where my rankings are and maybe play some Challengers or stick with 25 events. I just want to build on this week. I came back from an injury. I will just try to climb up the rankings.
Interview: Florian Heer
