Mark Lamsfuss, the German doubles player, is currently ranked as number 23 in men’s doubles on the World Ranking together with Marvin Seidel. Alongside this, he also plays mixed doubles with Isabel Herttrich, where they are ranked number 17.
Looking at the mixed doubles with Herttrich they are currently the fifth best European mixed doubles pair after the English pairs, the French pair and the Dutch pair.
- In mixed doubles it is difficult to define the ranking. The English pairings are currently at position one and two and after that I see three pairings at a similar level. Anyone can beat anyone.
When Lamsfuss talks about the goal for him and Herttrich, it is the same as many else. Going to the Olympics. But when asked if the goal has changed because of the COVID-19 situation he says.
- The main goal, the Olympic Games, has not changed, but the training content has. We are currently working a lot on the basics.
Bring the base to a higher level
Lamsfuss and Herttrich have earlier beaten top pairs, but for now they are still ranked as number 17 on the World Ranking. Asked what they would need to improve to challenge top pairs more often, he says.
- I think we both have to work on our individual skills and, as I said before, bring the base to a higher level. We've shown many times that we can beat the best, but we need to be more consistent.
It is far from the majority who play both mixed doubles and doubles, but if we take a look at the top five European mixed doubles, it is only the Adcocks who do not play two categories. Explaining about the reason for him to continue to play two categories, he says.
- At the moment there is not much against me playing two disciplines and after the Olympic Games the topic will come up again and then a decision must be made together with the coaches. At the moment I can gain a lot of experience because I get more games at this level. That brings me game practice and for me it is difficult to choose one discipline.