From Sharapova to Stricker, coach Dieter Kindlmann is always up for a challenge

Dieter Kindlmann, once a successful player on the ATP Challenger Tour and now a respected coach, has officially ended his collaboration with Swiss talent Dominik Stricker. The duo played their final tournament together at the 2025 Roma Garden Open—a fitting stage for the conclusion of their professional partnership.

“It’s always nice to come back here,” Kindlmann said about the Italian capital. “Rome is a great city; the tournament always draws a crowd—it’s just fun to watch tennis here.”

From Challenger Champion to World-Class Coach

After retiring from professional tennis in 2012, the German transitioned smoothly into coaching. He’s worked with some of the biggest names in women’s tennis, including Maria Sharapova, Madison Keys, Elise Mertens, Angelique Kerber, and Aryna Sabalenka. Since 2021, he’s also contributed to the development of Swiss tennis as a national junior coach.

During his playing days, Kindlmann captured four ATP Challenger titles—memories he holds close.

“My first title in Aschaffenburg was something really special. Winning in Oberstaufen, my home tournament as a guy from the Allgäu, that was unforgettable. Wolfsburg was another great memory,” he shared. “And winning in New Delhi was a unique experience I like to think back on.”

Then and Now: The Evolution of the Tour

As someone who experienced the ATP Challenger Tour circuit up close, both as a player and coach, Kindlmann has witnessed its transformation over the years. Some of his beloved events have since disappeared from the calendar.

“It makes me sad that tournaments like my home event in Oberstaufen no longer exist,” he admitted. “It didn’t fail because of money, but because no one stepped in to carry it forward on a volunteer basis. That’s a real shame. I was ranked around 130 in the world, and it was amazing to have so many tournaments in my home country.”

While Germany has lost ground in the ATP Challenger and ITF Pro Circuit tournament scene, Kindlmann sees Italy as a model to follow.

“Three weeks ago, we were in Sardinia. They held five tournaments on one resort’s grounds – that’s smart planning,” he said. “It’s so helpful for local players to have access to events close to home. It saves them a lot of travel costs.”

Kindlmann also acknowledged the rising level of competition.

“In my day, if I was ranked around 200 and played a qualifier, I usually had a good shot,” he said. “Now, everyone is physically fit, and matches are decided by just a few points. The level is incredibly high.”

The 42-year-old points out that even former top players struggle to make comebacks.

“It’s not enough just to show up. If you want to succeed on the Challenger Tour today, you need to play really good tennis. It’s no walk in the park,” he said. “Just look at Borna Coric—he had to win three tournaments in a row recently. That doesn’t happen by chance.”

The circuit has also become more global.

“If you lose early at a Masters in the U.S., you can still play a Challenger in the region afterwards,” he explained. “That didn’t used to be the case. Now tournaments are spread across continents.”

Patience Is Key for Young Players

Kindlmann also offered perspective on the development of young German players.

“At the BMW Open 500 in Munich, we saw promising talents like Justin Engel and Diego Dedura,” he said. “But it’s important to give them time. Let them grow at their own pace—step by step.”

He warns against putting too much pressure on young athletes.

“You can’t expect every junior to be the next big thing. People do the same in Switzerland—they draw quick comparisons with Roger or Stan. That’s not fair. Let the kids develop, and don’t panic when things don’t go perfectly.”

With his chapter alongside Stricker closed, Dieter Kindlmann is looking forward to what comes next. Whether on tour or at the training courts, one thing is clear: the man from Sonthofen brings not only decades of experience, but a deep love for the game that continues to shape his journey.