It was supposed to be a rebuilding year. For TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen, playing in the German Bundesliga has been a battle for respect. They have occasionally tasted success, even winning the league title in 2019. Generally, though, it has been a battle for second behind prohibitive favorites Borussia Düsseldorf, winners of 11 of the last 14 league championships under the captaincy of legendary German lefty Timo Boll. When the USA's Kanak Jha (world #30) joined Ochsenhausen, he played a supporting role behind Brazil's Hugo Calderano (world #8) and France's Simon Gauzy (world #18). This year saw a significant reshuffling as Calderano jumped ship to the Russian Champion's League. With Gauzy ascending to the helm, Jha assumed the rank of first mate, and a pair of Polish players have proved pivotal. When a contest with another team is unresolved after four singles tilts, the decider is a doubles match. Ochsenhausen's go-to doubles team is 18-year-old Maciej Kubik and Samuel Kulczycki (pictured), both from Poland. With Kubik ranked #491 in the world, and Kulczycki little loftier at #361, one would not necessarily expect too much from the Polish pair in the über-competitive Bundesliga. Nonetheless, the terrific teen tandem punches way above their weight. Thus far this season, they are undefeated. Not coincidentally, so is Ochsenhausen, winners of a 3-1 decision today over third place Neu Ulm. While it looked like a rebuilding year after Calderano's departure, Ochsenhausen may in fact be covertly constructing a championship contender. While Kanak Jha leads his team with a 6-2 record in singles, it is the chemistry of Maciej Kubik and Samuel Kulczycki which concocts confidence in close contests. Such stellar synergy might just come in handy l as Ochsenhausen barrels down the track on a collision course with Borussia Düsseldorf, the only other undefeated team in the league.

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