PUNE: Kamil Majchrzak had been World No. 7 in the juniors and had beaten Daniil Medvedev, Matteo Berrettini and Andrey Rublev while growing up.
But while the latter three made their breakthroughs in the men’s top tennis a few years ago, the 26-year-old Pole struggled to crack the code. There were a few injuries that had held him back a bit, no doubt, but there was something missing.
Fortunately, he was able to find the solution, thanks to his signing up with former world No. 7 and Wimbledon doubles champion Joakim Nystrom from Sweden.
The 58-year-old Nystrom not only won 13 ATP singles titles but also formed a formidable pairing with Mats Wilander in the 1980s. Indian fans will remember him for the straight-set win over Amritraj brothers in the 1987 Davis Cup final, which Sweden won 5-0.
As a coach, Nystrom has worked with the likes of Jarkko Nieminen, Jurgen Melzer and Jack Sock.
The decision to move base to Sweden in late 2020 didn’t pay off immediately but has helped Majchrzak mature as a player since.
"Me and my agent were looking for someone who was a great coach who actually has played before," said Majchrzak, adding "someone who can talk to me and share with me his experience from his professional career."
"The beginning was rough because I was getting injured. They (Nystrom and his staff) bring a lot of calm in my tennis," the 2013 US Open boys' doubles champion said.
"They also worked with me to create different sides (aspects). I can be solid, but they are also working with me on the attack … take more risks when it matters, to come to the net and play harder with the opponents. Plus, the serve. That is what we have been working on in the last year."
All that was on show on Friday as Majchrzak, the 2014 Young Olympics gold medallist, upset second seed Lorenzo Musetti 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-4 to set up a semifinal with Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori at the Tata Open Maharashtra.
After racing away with the first set, Majchrzak (pronounced myh-zhack) was pulled back by his 19-year-old Italian opponent, who began to use the slice more to slow the game down.
"So, the rallies got longer. He made me play longer points and longer rallies, and he also found his rhythm," the Pole said.
The ball moving fast through the air in the warm afternoon conditions definitely suited Majchrzak's game more than that of his Italian rival's. He never dropped serve throughout the 2-hour and 13-minute contest.
He also used his favourite drop shot to stunning effect. Yet, he reserved one trick up his sleeve for the final game when he served for the match.
"It is tricky always serving for the match 5-4. If anyone had asked me before the match if I would be happy with this result, I would say yes. But during the match it is tricky.
"I was nervous, I had to manage my emotions and stay calm. He was better from the baseline so I decided to do serve and volley, which I normally don't do.
"It was also something brave to decide to take the match in my hands, that I decided the points and not the opponent."
The semifinal run in Pune will go some distance in assuaging the disappointment of missing out on the last-four match against Spain in the ATP Cup in Melbourne last month for Majchrzak as he tested positive for covid.
"It was very unfortunate that I got covid even though I was following all the precautions," said the youngster, who won all his singles matches in the round-robin stage.
"It was very difficult for me because I was playing my best. Unfortunately, Kacper (Zuk) was also injured. It was painful because I believed we had the chance to beat Spain."
