MAUTHAUSEN/STARNBERG, April 27, 2026

Rising Austrian talent Joel Schwaerzler is set for an exciting start at the Danube Upper Austria Open powered by SKE (April 26–May 3, 2026), as he takes on fifth seed Jan Choinski in the opening round of the ATP Challenger in Mauthausen. The Brit, who won the Challenger event in Tulln in 2024, represents a challenging first hurdle for the 20-year-old.

Schwaerzler heads into his home tournament full of confidence and motivation. “I’m feeling good, motivated, and really happy to be playing at home again,” he said. Familiarity adds an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup, as the two have faced each other before and trained together frequently. “We know each other well, so it should be a very competitive match,” Schwaerzler added.

Off the singles court, a special highlight awaits in the doubles competition. Schwaerzler will partner former world No. 16 Philipp Kohlschreiber, who now plays a mentoring role within the Austrian’s team. The experienced German, who supports head coach Markus Hipfl, has quickly become a valuable presence both on and off the court.

“I can learn a lot from him,” said Schwaerzler. “He was an extremely smart player, and that makes a big difference. We get along very well, and it’s great to have him as part of the team.” Kohlschreiber’s insights, particularly in tactical situations and key moments, are proving especially valuable for the young Austrian.

The doubles pairing will likely face the second-seeded duo of Daniel Cukierman and Trey Hilderbrand, adding another layer of excitement to the week. For Kohlschreiber, the appearance is more than just a casual return. “The idea came up quite spontaneously,” he explained. “I still practice with the guys and help out a bit. Singles would be too demanding physically, but I really enjoy doubles—and I’m still competitive.”

Now balancing roles as mentor, practice partner, and competitor, Kohlschreiber continues to contribute his experience at a high level. “At the end of the day, you always want to win,” he said. “I’m not here just to participate.”