CADOLZBURG, January 21, 2025
Jannik Opitz and Tom Zeuch celebrated a milestone in their partnership by capturing their first team title on the ITF World Tennis Tour at the Cadolzburg Open on Saturday. The duo showcased their aggressive playing style and strong teamwork throughout the tournament, culminating in a well-deserved victory on the carpet courts – a surface that complemented their game.
In this exclusive interview, the two German players reflect on their journey, the significance of this win, and their unique paths through tennis, from the TennisBase in Hanover to the professional tennis circuit.
Tennis TourTalk: Congratulations on winning the doubles title at the Cadolzburg Open! How was the week for you here?
Tom Zeuch: Thank you. We had a great week with a lot of fun. Of course, we want to win every tournament we play. However, we’ve changed our mindset a bit and tried to focus less on the results and more on enjoying tennis. Considering the outcome, it turned out to be a pretty good recipe.
The tournament is played on a special surface, on carpet.
Jannik Opitz: Tournaments on carpet are very rare nowadays. However, this surface works in our favor because we play an aggressive style, trying to get to the net frequently. We’re both tall and have strong serves. A fast surface like this supports our game style. We kept the rallies short and, especially with good volleys, managed to win the crucial points.
You’re not very well-known in Germany yet. Tom, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Tom Zeuch: I’m originally from Thuringia. Unfortunately, the region isn’t very well-known for producing young tennis talent. So, at the age of 12, I moved to the TennisBase in Hanover. That’s also where I met Jannik, who trained there as well. We spent our time there together until graduating high school, playing competitive tennis. I’ve always enjoyed doubles and even became the German Junior Champion in doubles. It’s a different game when you share the court, as tennis is otherwise a very solitary sport. After an initial attempt at professional tennis that didn’t work out as planned, I decided to go to the U.S. There, I found my love for the sport again thanks to a good tennis scholarship. I was also able to pursue a Plan B in the form of a college degree. Last year, I completed a Master’s in Sports Marketing, and with my parents’ support, I’m now giving it my all again. At 24, I’m more mature and know what I’m capable of—and also what I’m not.
There are now quite a few Germans who’ve used college tennis as a springboard to the professional tour. How do you reflect on your time in the U.S.?
Tom Zeuch: The combination of academics and sports is unique, and I’m very grateful that I could experience it. Additionally, doubles have a higher status there. You practice volleys more often and approach the net frequently. When we play doubles now, it feels like being part of a team. That teamwork can give us an edge against strong pairings of singles players, as it’s a different dynamic. If you can harmonize as a team, you can be successful.
Jannik Opitz: I also started playing tennis early and went through various stages. At 13, I joined the TennisBase in Hanover through my then-coach. I’m from Hildesheim, which is just a 30-minute drive from Hanover, so I stayed at home rather than living on-site. After high school, I also had to decide how to proceed with tennis. I chose college tennis because it’s hard to get support in Germany after the junior level unless you’re one of the top talents. Combining tennis with further education is very attractive. As a student, you even have a special status, which would be unthinkable in Germany. Right now, I’m working on a second bachelor’s degree in Germany via distance learning, but it’s much more challenging. You’re on your own, and you have to organize everything yourself and align exams with the tournament schedule. It was much more convenient in the U.S. I’m two years older than Tom and graduated with a degree in Finance. I played a lot of singles but shifted my focus to doubles last year after a months-long foot injury. Personally, I enjoy playing with a partner on the court much more.
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What are your plans for the coming weeks, and what are your goals?
Tom Zeuch: We’re trying to stay on tour as a team. However, I also want to compete in some singles tournaments, which can make things a bit tricky to coordinate.
Tom, this is your first title on the Pro Circuit.
Tom Zeuch: We showcased our potential during the competition, and that gives us confidence. We almost didn’t make it into the tournament, so this result leaves us with a great feeling. Our goal was to have fun, and we managed that really well. Now, we’ll just enjoy this for a bit.
You also have a few tattoos. What’s the meaning behind them?
Tom Zeuch: I was always unsure about what to choose, but in the U.S., I found some faith and now have inscriptions on my legs that remind me to respect God. There’s more to life than tennis—something I didn’t realize as a junior player. Now, I know that God will always love me, whether I win or lose. On my calf, I also have a portrait of the late rapper Juice WRLD, whose music I really enjoy.
Jannik, you already won a doubles title last year in Marburg. What are your goals?
Jannik Opitz: My goal is to move up the Challenger Tour rankings in doubles, which means breaking into the top 400 in the world.
Thank you and all the best.
Interview: Florian Heer
