13:13 in the third set. Just two more points, and Maria and I will be in the round of 16.
Actually, we could have wrapped up this match earlier. In the second set, the score was 11-11; we were just one rally short, and the two Ukrainians took that one. So, back to square one—and now this.
We scored both points. 15–13.
From October 23 to 25, 2026, I played in the Teqball Tour in Si Racha, the first stop on my two-week trip to Thailand. There were 32 players in the singles competition and 32 pairs in the mixed doubles. In both events, I finished second in my group to advance to the round of 16, where I was eliminated.
Finishing ninth twice in such a strong field is a good result. Still, I'm disappointed about two of the games because we could have done better.
Singles: We could have done better against Balázs Katz
The men's singles tournament was played through the semifinals on Friday. For me, that meant four matches in one day.
In Group F, I started off against Vinit Jain from India, winning 12-8 and 12-7. It was a good start.
Next, I faced Balázs Katz from Hungary. 7–12 and 10–12. My first serves in this match didn’t go as well as I’m used to, and the 10–12 score in the second set shows just how close it was. That’s the first of the two matches that I’m frustrated about.
With scores of 12-9 and 12-5 against Jun Ming Zhang from China, I secured second place in the group, behind Balázs.
Round of 16 against the eventual finalist
Stefan Orłowski from Poland was waiting in the round of 16. 7–12 and 3–12—it was a clear-cut result.
Stefan showed just how strong he was in Si Racha afterward. In the semifinals, he defeated Marek Pokwap in three sets; it wasn't until the final that Apor Györgydeák stopped him with scores of 12–10 and 12–5.
Balázs made it to the semifinals and won the bronze medal. So both players I lost to in singles ended up on the podium.
Mixed Doubles with Maria: 15–13 in the third set
In mixed doubles, I played with Maria Clemente from Portugal for the first time. Back in April in Paris, she was still on the other side of the table, playing with Martim Vasques at the time. On Sunday, we played four matches in one day again.
In our Group G opener against Prakasit Nammaliwan and Orathai Sukpama from Thailand, we lost the first set 9–12. But then things turned around: 12–5 and 12–7—we turned the match around.
We didn't stand a chance against Areeya Homdee and Chayawut Dosa, also from Thailand, losing 4–12 and 2–12. The two of them ended up taking home the bronze.
In our final group match, we faced Oleh Usychenko and Daria Zelenska from Ukraine for second place. We won the first set 12–9, but lost the second set 11–12 after it was tied at 11–11.
In the third set, neither team could pull ahead after the score reached 11-11. 12-12, 13-13. Then Maria and I scored the two points we needed.
That was our third match as a pair. I'm especially happy that we were able to win a set like that together.
A few too many mistakes in the round of 16
That same afternoon, Milan Csabi from Hungary and Viorica Tonu from Moldova were waiting for us in the round of 16. We kept up with them for a long time. But when the match got tight, we made a few too many mistakes, and they won 9–12 and 8–12.
Reaching the quarterfinals was possible—I'll say that quite openly. Milan and Viorica were the only team that beat me in Si Racha and ended up without a medal. That's why this match really bugs me.
What's the point of finishing in 9th place twice?
Four wins in eight matches, twice finishing second in the group, twice finishing in ninth place. In the end, Apor Györgydeák won both competitions, taking the mixed doubles title alongside Kinga Barabási.
For the world rankings, there were 51 points in singles and 55 in mixed doubles. By comparison: For Bronze in the mixed doubles in Santarém I scored 48 points in August. So 9th place in Si Racha was worth more than a podium finish in Portugal.
Two ninth-place finishes in this field is acceptable. With better first serves and fewer errors in tight situations, we can do even better.
You can't get something for nothing, so I'm now focusing my efforts on my serve. I want to move up in the rankings at the next tournament.
Next stop: Ayutthaya
My trip to Thailand continued directly on to Si Racha: From October 30 to November 1, the Teqball World Series in Ayutthaya was on the schedule. In men’s doubles, I teamed up with Szabolcs Ilyés from Romania, and in mixed doubles, I played with Maria again.
The final matches were held outdoors in front of the prang at Wat Mahathat, a temple tower in the old royal city. I can't think of a more beautiful setting for a final right now.
The Final Results
Teqball Tour Si Racha (THA), October 23–25, 2026
Men's Singles
- 1st Place: Apor Györgydeák (ROU)
- 2nd place: Stefan Orłowski (POL)
- 3rd Place: Marek Pokwap (POL)
- 3rd Place: Balázs Katz (HUN)
- 9th place: Alexander Hamm (AUT)
Mixed Doubles
- 1st Place: Apor Györgydeák / Kinga Barabási (ROU)
- 2nd Place: Suphawadi Wongkhamchan / Phakpong Dejaroen (THA)
- 3rd Place: Areeya Homdee / Chayawut Dosa (THA)
- 3rd Place: Benjamin Patrik Tóth (HUN) / Amelie Julian (FRA)
- 9th place: Alexander Hamm (AUT) / Maria Clemente (POR)
My singles matches
- Group F vs. Vinit Jain (IND): 2–0 (12–8, 12–7)
- Group F vs. Balázs Katz (HUN): 0–2 (7–12, 10–12)
- Group F vs. Jun Ming Zhang (CHN): 2–0 (12–9, 12–5)
- Round of 16 against Stefan Orłowski (POL): 0–2 (7–12, 3–12)
My Mixed Doubles Matches
- Group G vs. Nammaliwan / Sukpama (THA): 2–1 (9–12, 12–5, 12–7)
- Group G vs. Homdee / Dosa (THA): 0–2 (4–12, 2–12)
- Group G vs. Usychenko / Zelenska (UKR): 2–1 (12–9, 11–12, 15–13)
- Round of 16 against Csabi / Tonu (HUN/MDA): 0–2 (9–12, 8–12)
FAQ
Why does reaching the round of 16 mean 9th place?
In FITEQ tournaments, whoever loses in the round of 16 finishes in 9th place. Eight players or pairs share this ranking. So you’re among the top 16 in the tournament; you’re exactly one win away from the quarterfinals. For my two ninth-place finishes in Si Racha, I earned 51 world ranking points in singles and 55 in mixed doubles.
Why does the score in the third set say 15–13 when a set goes to 12?
In the first and second sets, the next point is enough when the score is 11-11, which is why you see scores like 12-11. In the third set, you have to win by a two-point margin. So it continues until one player is two points ahead. Against Usychenko and Zelenska, that happened at 15–13.
What is the Teqball Tour?
The Teqball Tour is a tournament series organized by the world governing body FITEQ, where you earn points toward the world rankings. There were three events in Si Racha: men’s singles, women’s singles, and mixed doubles. Men’s doubles wasn’t on the schedule this time, so I played singles and mixed doubles.
Where is Si Racha?
Si Racha is a coastal town on the Gulf of Thailand in Chonburi Province, about 100 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. For me, it was the first stop on my two-week trip to Thailand; after that, I headed to Ayutthaya.
What the newspapers reported
Among others, the following media outlets reported on my debut in Thailand:
- MeinBezirk, October 28, 2026: “Strong Start for Alexander Hamm on Teqball Tour Through Thailand”
- BVZ, October 28, 2026: “Two Ninth-Place Finishes: Alexander Hamm Impresses in Thailand”
Interested in a partnership?
On my Sponsorship Page You'll find out who's already on board, what kind of reach a season like this brings, and what a collaboration might look like.
Take a look around there. Or Send me a direct message, I'll get back to you within 48 hours.
