The next Swiss star? Kilian Feldbausch wants to follow in the footsteps of Federer & Wawrinka

Switzerland has long been a powerhouse in world tennis, with legends like Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, and Martina Hingis leaving a lasting mark on the sport. But the future also looks bright, especially on the men’s side. While Dominic Stricker, Leandro Riedi, and Jérôme Kym have already made a name for themselves, another young Swiss talent is stepping into the spotlight: Kilian Feldbausch.

The 19-year-old from Geneva is considered one of Switzerland’s most promising young players. In November 2023, he celebrated his first title on the ITF World Tennis Tour in Boca Raton, a key milestone in his professional journey.

“I had just played the South America swing and faced some good players. I came to Florida with good rhythm. Ending the tournament as the winner was obviously great,” Feldbausch said, describing his maiden title on the Pro Circuit.

Unlike many of today’s power players, Feldbausch relies more on tactical finesse than brute force. “I’m a solid player, not like John Isner with a big serve. I always try to find a solution on the court,” he explained.

His goal is clear: to successfully manage the often-difficult transition from junior to professional tennis. And he’s already shown that he’s up for the challenge. In November 2023, Feldbausch reached his first ATP Challenger Tour final at the eó Hotels Maspalomas Challenger in Gran Canaria.

“The Challenger Tour is a big challenge for me. But I like that. You have to be strong physically and mentally,“ Feldbausch said.

Setbacks and Comeback

Feldbausch’s journey has not been without obstacles. In spring 2023, two foot fractures set him back significantly. Prior to that, he had shown impressive results on the Junior Circuit - reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open, quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the US Open, and climbing as high as World No. 5 in the ITF Junior Rankings.

“That was a tough time. I lost almost every match when I came back. But later I was able to regain some confidence,” he said during the Challenger event in the Canary Islands.

In April of the same year, he underwent a preventative hip surgery. But by September, he returned to the tour and went on to win a second ITF World Tennis Tour title during the winter in Antalya, Turkey. Now, Feldbausch is aiming for a full, injury-free season.

Currently ranked World No. 473, Feldbausch often has to fight his way through qualifying rounds. But he has proven he can rise to the occasion, reaching the main draw at Challenger events in both Santiago de Chile and Menorca, Spain.

Tennis Runs in the Family

Feldbausch comes from a true tennis lineage. His grandfather, Franz Feldbausch, played Davis Cup for Germany in 1956. His father, Michael, reached a career-high ATP Ranking of 706. His mother, Cathy Caverzasio - now also his coach - was a top WTA player, peaking at World No. 34 in 1990.

“Both of my parents coach me. My uncle is also sometimes with me when my mother has to work back home. It helps me a lot to have my family around,” Feldbausch explained.

After a challenging year marked by injury and recovery, Feldbausch is now focused and determined. “I played really well toward the end of the 2023 season and of course I want to keep improving.”

With a solid foundation, strong family support, and renewed confidence, Kilian Feldbausch seems poised to become a regular presence on the ATP Challenger Tour - and perhaps, in the not-too-distant future, make headlines on the sport’s biggest stages.