Mikael Ymer in US Open quarters

16 year old (this year) Swedish tennis player Mikael Ymer did advance to the quarterfinal of the US Open junior event this year. It is the first time since 2009 that a Swedish junior progresses that far in a junior Grand Slam event. Mikael, who qualified for the event, won a tough battle in the round of 16 against number 11 in the world on the junior world ranking Roman SAFIULLIN of Russia. The quarterfinal was also a tough contest against Jan CHOINSKI where Mikael came up just short 36 in the third set. 

The result comes after a year that saw Mikael start off the year by winning the national 16 year and younger national event Salk open in January and from there he has really made some good progress. When things go well it’s also important to look back at some of the factors that made the result possible this year. Mikael skipped the indoor Swedish national championships to compete in clay court events in France this spring. For us it was important to start off early on the clay and the fact that the Indoor nationals is pretty late in Sweden made us take this tough decision for the best of Mikael. The points and the experience he gathered there made him certain to play main draw in Berlin ITF event this summer wish he won. The win in Berlin made it possible to compete in the US Open juniors. Good to Great coach Johan Hedsberg has travelled with Mikael the whole year so all cred to Johan for his and Mikaels work. Johan is together with fitness coach Viktor Tuurala at Ultimate Performance the team behind Mikael.

All the tournaments and the results would not have been made possible without mainly the financial support of Good to Great Team Bactiguard.

On all tournaments Mikael has been studying and taken good responsibility for his school on distance. Something that is very important for us. There is life outside the tennis courts and to learn is the best way to mature according to us.

Mikael is today ranked number 46 on the junior world ranking for boys 18 year and younger.

So is this a certain that Mikael will continue to climb? Most certainly not. There is a huge amount of work to be done. But to compete against the best in the work with good results is a small step stone in the right direction along the way.

Mikael will next play qualies in the Swedish future in Danderyd this following weekend. After that Mikael will be playing for Sweden in the the World Cup junior playoffs with departure at the end of next week.