The tennis player describes the message about the suspension as a shock. Mikael Ymer's three misses in residence reporting meant that he was not allowed to play or train tennis for 18 months.
I was really surprised. Three judges had given us the green light, voted in our favor, and my lawyer in the USA, who we brought in, was also positive, he says.
It was a shock for me and everyone else.
Shortly after the message, the Swede announced that his career was over.
Started partying
When he left the strict life on the pro tour, other things took the place of tennis.
He started partying.
The 26-year-old – who emphasizes that he is a teetotaler – traveled the world, turned days into nights, and got stuck on the atmosphere in Los Angeles.
There and then he liked his new life, but during a dinner – where his tennis career came up – he immediately got the urge back.
I had seen the other side of life, it had been fun, but the next ten years I know what I want to do – and it's this, he says.
I started the comeback immediately. It's damn boring to just party all the time.
New daily rhythm
The step back was a high threshold to take for Ymer, who in his career had been ranked 50th at best.
I needed to go to bed at 21.30, not 03, and skip training days. In the beginning, it was a small shock, but now it's calm. I also skipped "Cola Zero" at dinner yesterday (on Tuesday), which was a long time since I did. It's going slowly but surely forward.
Mikael Ymer started training on his own in September-October and from November got to train in organized activities.
Won in Luxembourg
Last week, he made a comeback at an ITF tournament – one level below ATP and Challenger tours – in Luxembourg and brought home a fresh title.
"A good receipt", he says himself, but is also aware that the journey back is long.
I have a bit left to the level I've been at and where we want to be. It will take time, but we have patience and try to do the right thing day by day.
But I've taken myself through 18 months, so this way is in a way easier than the one I've gone. This is a "battle" I must take and which I'm ready to take.
Next, however, awaits another "battle", as Mikael Ymer is part of Sweden's Davis Cup team, which on Friday and Saturday faces Australia at the Royal Tennis Hall.
It's going to be damn fun to play again. I've really missed it.
Facts: Sweden-Australia in Davis Cup
TT
What: Qualifying match in Davis Cup.
Where: Royal Tennis Hall, Stockholm.
When: The first match is played on Friday at 17.00.
What's at stake: The winner advances to the next qualifying round and meets the winner between Chile and Belgium.
Previous meetings: Sweden has met Australia ten times and won three.
Sweden's team: Mikael Ymer, Leo Borg, Adam Heinonen, André Göransson, and Filip Bergevi.
