Mikael Ymer made a successful comeback after serving an 18-month anti-doping ban suspension! The Swede stayed away from the court since Wimbledon 2023. Mikael returned to action at this week’s Esch/Alzette M25 Futures in Luxembourg.
Ymer cracked the top-50 in April 2023 and reached the Wimbledon third round in July. The Swede toppled Taylor Fritz from two sets to love down before losing to Daniel Elahi Galan after a thriller. A couple of days later, Mikael’s world collapsed!
Ymer was banned for 18 months after missing three out-of-competition doping tests within a year! The ITF charged Mikael for the same violation in January 2022. However, he was cleared by an independent tribunal of three arbitrators in June.
Hyfsad passering av Mikael Ymer 🤩 pic.twitter.com/x7OTRNV7T6
— AE (@AEtennis_) January 23, 2025
The Swede could not avoid suspension in July 2023 and announced his retirement! In another twist in the tale, Mikael changed his decision in April last year, calling the retirement boring and announcing his comeback after serving the ban.
Ymer picked Esch/Alzette M25 Futures as his comeback tournament and defeated five rivals to lift a trophy. Thus, Mikael conquered his first Futures title since February 2017! The 26-year-old played his first match since July 2023 against Estonia’s Markus Molder.
Esch/Alzette M25 Futures 2025© Stream screenshot
The Swede scored a 6-3, 6-1 victory for a winning return. The former world no. 50 ousted ther Russian Nikolay Vylegzhanin 6-4, 6-4 in the second round for a place in the last eight. Ymer had to dig deep against Norbert Gombos in the quarter-final.
The 26-year-old prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 36 minutes, remaining on the title course. The Swede played against Estonia’s Daniil Glinka in the semi-final and dropped a tight opener. Mikael stepped in from set number two and earned a 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 win for a place in the title clash.
Ymer battled against last year’s junior no. 1 Nicolai Budkov Kjaer and 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 in an hour and 54 minutes. Thus, the Swede lifted a trophy and earned his first ATP points in 18 months. Mikael collected 17 points more than Nicolai.
Novak Djokovic & Mikael Ymer, Esch/Alzette M25 Futures 2025© Stream screenshot
The more experienced player lost serve two times and delivered five breaks from ten opportunities, four in sets one and three. The Swede made a reliable start, serving well in the opener and providing two breaks for an early advantage.
The young gun netted a forehand in the second game of the match and lost serve at love. A teenager netted a backhand in the sixth game, suffering another break and falling 5-1 behind. Ymer served for the set in game seven and landed an ace for 6-1 and a boost.
Mikael Ymer, Lyon 2023© Stream screenshot
Mikael extended his streak and delivered a break early in the second set for a 6-1, 3-1 advantage. The Norwegian raised his level and pulled the break back in game six. Budkov Kjaer provided three comfortable holds and kept the pressure on the other side.
Ymer served to stay in the set at 5-6 and sprayed a forehand error, losing serve for the second time and allowing his rival to force a decider. The Swede bounced back and delivered four holds. He secured a break in the first game and missed two more chances at 2-0.
Nicolai struggled behind the initial shot at 1-3 and lost serve after Mikael’s backhand down the line winner. The former world no. 50 served for the title at 5-2 and sealed the deal after the young gun’s backhand error.
Tennis World USA