It has been described as a struggle between the classic Swedish sports model and a new reality in which money can buy a place on the federation board.
Originally, Christer Gardell proposed 100 million kronor over five years to lift Swedish tennis again. The counter-demand: that the federation’s board resign, with Ulf Rosberg mentioned as a possible new chairman.
The debate has been tainted, with the previous chairman having resigned, and Rosberg is now facing another candidate, Robert Samuelsson, at Sunday’s annual meeting. The tone leading up to it has not been optimal, Rosberg admits afterwards:
“It was based on a certain frustration that not much had happened in Swedish tennis, and perhaps some unnecessarily harsh words were said to the board. The idea was that it would be a wake-up call for Swedish tennis,” he tells TT.
“Today there are no demands for anyone to resign, but there were previous statements made. I think the process has followed all existing democratic principles. Members vote freely at the union meeting.”
Some hesitation
According to TT’s experience, Gardell’s proposal was initially received with some hesitation by the country’s seven regions. However, support has grown stronger over the course of the process and, according to information provided to TT, he now has such strong support that he will be elected as the new chairman on Sunday.
How much time will you actually have for this role?
“I would never have taken it upon myself to run for this position if I didn’t feel like I had a lot of time to spare. I’m really passionate about tennis and will roll up my sleeves to do my utmost to get this off the ground.”
The big question
That is precisely the big question. How do you get Swedish tennis – once a world leader on the men’s side – up and running when there are currently only three players among the top 500 in the world? Ulf Rosberg points to several problems:
At younger ages, ages 10-15, the focus is far too narrow, he believes, and he cites Italy as an example. Nowadays, in addition to world number one Jannik Sinner, Italy has three more players among the top 25 on the men’s side and one among the top 10 on the women’s side. The background is a new focus in 2010 on the country’s 158 provinces and on about ten players in each age group.
“You can imagine if you have 158 provinces times 10 in each age group. That’s a huge number of players. I definitely think you can take inspiration from that, even though there are big differences.”
What is most important, more players at the world’s top level or broad youth activities?
“There is no contradiction. More children and young people today are a prerequisite for more top players tomorrow.”
Facts: The proposals that will lift Swedish tennis
Ulf Rosberg and Christer Gardell have presented a five-point program with two overall focus areas going forward:
1. Player development with a broader focus on younger ages. Also, streamline the transition from junior to full-time player.
This will be done, among other things, by focusing less on junior national teams and more on broad camps, both regionally and nationally.
2. Increased support for regions and clubs.
Cities and rural areas have different challenges. In larger cities, the problem of overcrowded facilities is being addressed.
In rural areas, clubs are closing down and there is a lack of volunteers. Among the proposals is tying tennis more closely to schools, with schools renting tennis halls. Resources are shared between clubs, with city clubs taking on coordination responsibility.
