Lah Reflects On Challenger Main Draw Debut

Slovenian veterans including Blaz Kavcic and Blaz Rola are taking to the court at this week’s ATP Challenger Tour event in Portoroz, but a local teenager also took the first steps towards what he hopes is a long pro career.

Sven Lah, 17, made his ATP Challenger Tour main draw debut on Tuesday against second seed Renzo Olivo of Argentina.  Although the World No. 113 in the Emirates ATP Rankings was by far the highest-ranked player Lah had ever faced, the youngest player in the draw held his own on Centre Court in a 6-2, 6-3 loss.

“It was a pleasure to play in such a good tournament and playing against Renzo is one of the best experiences of my career,” said Lah. “Playing against pros was a really good lesson for me, so I’m happy that I got the opportunity.”

Currently ranked No. 84 in the ITF Junior Rankings, Lah has spent most of this year competing in some of the world’s biggest junior events. But while he’s comfortable competing against quality opponents, he admitted the ATP Challenger Tour was a new level for him.

“The biggest thing I learned this week is that everyone knows how to hit serves, forehands and backhands, so the main thing is what you’re able to show on court,” said Lah. “The head is the main factor in the mind game out there.”

The Slovenian plans on eventually turning pro, but is first looking at first playing at college tennis in the U.S. because “from the beginning of my career we have been playing on clay, so I have to learn how to play on hard courts.” Lah plans to play more pro events over the next year, though, and is already plotting his return to Portoroz.

“It was a great week for me,” he said, “But I hope that I will come back next year without needing a wild card.”