Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl: The dream team of the ATP Challenger Tour

Despite receiving little media attention, Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl quietly emerged last season as one of the most consistent and successful doubles teams on the ATP Challenger Tour. While many tennis fans may not have taken notice of them yet, the Czech duo steadily collected titles and climbed the rankings with remarkable consistency.

It was only at the beginning of 2024 that the two 26-year-olds from Prague officially joined forces—but their impact was immediate. In their very first tournament together, they lifted the trophy on hard court in Nottingham, Great Britain. It was the perfect debut, and it didn’t stop there: titles followed in Tenerife (also on hard court) and then on clay in San Marino, Sevilla and Bad Waltersdorf.

Breakthrough on the ATP Tour

In April this year, Nouza and Rikl made another major leap forward by winning their first ATP Tour title at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech. The success not only added another trophy to their cabinet but also propelled both into the highest rankings of their careers. Patrik Rikl holds a career-high of World No. 65 in the ATP Doubles Rankings, while Petr Nouza, who captured six Challenger titles in 2023 with different partners and broke into the Top 100 for the first time, sits just a few places behind at No. 69.

So, what’s the secret behind their success?

“I don’t know if there’s a secret to winning,” Rikl says. “The most important thing is that we’re friends, not just on court, but off it, too. That’s key in doubles. We play the same tournaments, and we stay at the same hotels. You need to get along, or it just won’t work.”

Nouza echoes the sentiment: “As he said, we get along really well. Our playing styles complement each other nicely, and we both serve pretty strongly. There’s still a lot of potential to improve, but we’re working every day to get better.”

All-in on doubles

Originally, both had set their sights on singles careers, but injuries forced them to pivot. “We both struggled with injuries,” explains Rikl, who has undergone two knee surgeries. Nouza adds, “At this point, probably every body part has taken a hit, especially our wrists. I also had hip issues. Playing doubles is just physically easier.”

But it’s not just about health, there’s a thrill to doubles, too.

“There’s the adrenaline,” Nouza says. “Doubles matches are often super close, the rallies are exciting. It’s fast, it’s a completely different game compared to singles. It’s fun to play, and hopefully fun to watch, too.”

Next stop: Grand Slams

Their biggest dream? Conquering the Grand Slams together. “Right now, I’m really happy with our partnership,” Nouza said last year. “Hopefully we keep growing and reach the Slams together. That’s our biggest goal.” In January, they competed in the main draw of the Australian Open but lost a tight first-round battle to France’s Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul. At Roland-Garros, the goal is to go one step further and reach the second round for the first time.

After their breakthrough in Morocco, the pair returned to the Challenger Tour to prepare for the clay-court season, with mixed results. They reached the semifinals in Estoril but bowed out in the opening round in Bordeaux.

Fun on and off the court

Away from the court, downtime is limited. “There’s often not much time to switch off,” Rikl admits. “If you have a late match, you end up waiting around all day. That makes it tough to really relax outside the tournament venue.”

Still, they try to enjoy their time on the road and even share a few interests. “We follow a lot of sports,” says Nouza. “Maybe I follow more than he does. Patrik prefers video games (laughs). I’m a fan of Sparta Prague and Chelsea.” Rikl adds, “I like Sparta and Real Madrid.”

Bundesliga rivals?

Interestingly, the two could face each other in Germany’s prestigious Tennis Channel Bundesliga - at least in theory. Nouza represents TC 1860 Rosenheim: “It’s nice to be part of a team in tennis for a change. I always look forward to the Bundesliga season in Germany. We’ve got a great group of guys. The money’s a bonus, but it’s mainly just a really good time.”

Rikl plays for TC Augsburg, who were relegated last season. Now they’re fighting for a quick return to the top flight. Should they succeed, a clash between the Czech duo on opposite sides of the net may not be far off.