Thomas Enqvist: Still in the Game

1. Stockholm Open is the world’s oldest indoor tournament on the ATP Tour. What do you think gives the tournament such a strong place in the tennis calendar?

The Stockholm Open is a very unique tournament on the ATP Tour. It is not only the oldest indoor tournament on the tour, but also the only one that is still played at a traditional tennis club.

I would actually say that the Royal Tennis Club of Stockholm is one of the finest tennis clubs in the world. With its fantastic history and strong tradition, Stockholm Open is a highly prestigious tournament, with a long tradition of attracting the best players in the world.

It is precisely the combination of the historic setting, the fantastic history and the high sporting level that makes the Stockholm Open such a unique and special tournament on the ATP Tour.

2. You have won the Stockholm Open three times. Is there something about that tournament that has felt different to you?

I am from Stockholm, and I remember going to Stockholm Open with my brother when I was around ten years old. I remember sitting there and dreaming of one day being able to play in the tournament myself.
So even if it may sound a bit like a cliché, winning Stockholm Open really was a childhood dream come true. To do it at home, in a tournament I had watched as a child, naturally made it even more special.

3. What is your favourite memory from the Stockholm Open over the years?

It was actually winning Stockholm Open for the first time.

4. Tennis has always had a strong connection to style and detail. How has your own view of clothing and style changed from your years on the tour to today?

I agree that tennis has always been very style-conscious. Many of today’s top players also have collaborations with major fashion houses, which I think is great to see.
My personal style has probably not changed that much since I was playing myself, but compared with my time, the clothes worn on court have developed enormously in terms of design, style and materials. There is much more focus on both fashion and functionality today, which makes tennis clothing feel like a very natural part of a player’s personal expression.

5. How will you dress during the tournament?

It will probably be sportswear in the mornings, as we have a lot of tennis pro-ams and clinics, but when the matches begin in the afternoon, it will mostly be a suit.

6. During the 1990s, you were part of a very strong era on the ATP Tour. Looking back on that time, what do you remember most clearly?

I was very lucky to grow up as a young tennis player in Sweden. During the 1980s, Swedish tennis dominated the world elite, with players such as Mats Wilander, Stefan Edberg and many others.

At one point, Sweden had six players in the top 10 and 17 players among the top 100 in the world. That meant I grew up with fantastic role models and also had the opportunity to train with some of the best players in the world.

I then belonged to the generation of Swedish players in the 1990s. We also did well, but what I remember most is the fantastic sense of togetherness we had. We trained hard together, pushed each other and, above all, had a lot of fun along the way.

7. How would you describe tennis in the 1990s compared with the game we see today?

Tennis, like all other sports, has developed enormously over the years. It is one of the world’s most global and competitive sports, and the level today is incredibly high.

What I think has developed the most is perhaps the way players move on court. Today’s players are incredibly fast, explosive and physically well-trained, which has made the game much more intense and athletic.

8. You reached a career-high ranking of world number four. What did it take to reach that level then, both physically and mentally?

To reach the top 10 in the world, you have to be able to maintain a very high and consistent level throughout the year. Sport at the very highest level is a lifestyle and requires 100 per cent dedication, both on and off the court.

For me, I was fortunate to genuinely love the training and to enjoy life on the tour. I think that is just as important as talent itself. If you are going to put in the time and energy required over many years, you also have to enjoy the journey.

9. What are you most proud of in your career?

It is difficult to choose one single memory, but I am, of course, incredibly grateful to have been able to turn my hobby and my sport into my job. I have so many great memories from my active career, but if I were to highlight something, the Stockholm Open and Davis Cup probably stand out the most.

10. After your playing career, you have remained close to the sport by working with younger players. What do you try to pass on to the next generation that you found useful on the tour?

I still work with tennis in various ways. In addition to my role as Tournament Director for Stockholm Open, I also run a mentoring programme where I help players and their teams on the way towards their goals.

I really enjoy it, and I find it rewarding to be able to share my experiences after more than 35 years in professional tennis. To give something back and perhaps contribute some of the lessons I have learned during my own career feels both inspiring and very meaningful.