Bolt’s Back: Aussie Making Strides In Return To Tour

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Alex Bolt knows this all too well. 

For those competing on the ATP Challenger Tour, the early 20s is a time for growth and development, as players look to build their games and fight to climb the ATP Rankings. They seek to embrace the on-the-road lifestyle, bouncing from tournament to tournament with dreams of ascending to the ATP World Tour.

But, for some, the pursuit of the Top 100 and beyond can take its toll. Two years ago, citing waning motivation and passion, Bolt hung up his racquets at the age of 23. Having competed on the circuit for many years, the Aussie – a former World No. 160 – grappled with the rigours of the tour and struggled to find consistent success. 

“At the start of 2016, I was battling mentally,” Bolt told ATPWorldTour.com. “I was losing the love of the game and when I was on court I didn’t like competing. When that happened, I stopped playing. I didn’t touch a racquet for nine months. But I saw all the other guys doing well and that made me want to come back. Here I am now.”

An unwavering commitment and passion is a prerequisite to life on tour. As Bolt saw his devotion to the game wane, he left his racquet for a hammer. In his time away from the court, he pursued a career in construction, building fences at home in Australia. But his venture away from tennis only made his love of the game stronger. The Aussie may have left the sport, but it never left him.

Following a year hiatus, Bolt was back, returning at the start of the 2017 season. And it did not take long for him to rediscover his rhythm. An ATP Ranking outside the Top 600 soon vaulted inside the Top 400 with a final on the grass of Ilkley. Next stop: the Top 250 with a final in Traralgon in October. 

On Sunday, the 25-year-old would make his Top 200 return, notching his second Challenger crown and first since claiming his maiden title in 2014. Having come through qualifying, Bolt did not drop a set in breezing to the final, where he rallied past Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-2. 

He’s back in the winners’ circle! @abolt15 celebrates his first #ATPChallenger title in four years, rallying past Hubert Hurkacz 57 76(4) 62 in Zhuhai. pic.twitter.com/4ZxT3T9GKD

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 11, 2018

“The comeback is real and I have a Challenger title to my name. This is definitely special. A year ago, I didn’t think I was going to pick up a racquet again. It’s just amazing. I never thought I’d be back in this situation. 

“As the year went on, I was finding more confidence in my game. That was the big thing that was holding me back. That is, the belief that I could win these kinds of tournaments. Now the results are starting to show and I’m gradually getting the confidence back.

“It’s pretty amazing right now. It’s been quite a while since I last held up a trophy. It was in China as well. I didn’t expect too much from myself coming into the week from qualifying. But getting through qualifying and winning the title, it’s been an unbelievable week. I just competed for every point. I took every point as it came and that’s why I had such a good result.”

Bolt is an integral part of a larger Challenger movement in his native Australia. He is one of five different Aussies to lift a trophy already this year, joining Jason Kubler (Playford), Marc Polmans (Launceston), Jordan Thompson (Chennai) and John Millman (Kyoto). With Kubler and Millman finding immediate success in returns from injury, Bolt has found inspiration in their comebacks.

“It’s very inspiring. I’m mates with all those guys. It’s great to see that they are fit and healthy and back on court. They’re great players and it’s so good that Australia has all these quality guys and we’re pushing each other. Hopefu we’re all in the Top 100 one day.”

The Murray Bridge native had risen to World No. 160 in March 2015, less than a year after claiming his maiden Challenger crown on the clay of Anning, China. Now, three years later, Bolt is on course to eclipse his career-high ATP Ranking. But the left-hander says he’s not taking anything for granted. After returning to the winners’ circle, he admits it’s time to reassess his goals.

“My goal at the start of the year was to reach the Top 200 and get into French Open qualifying. It looks like I’m there already. I’m going to have to go back with my coaches and re-think where I’m at.”