Wallner’s Leadership Embodies the Tennessee Culture

When Wallner first arrived in Knoxville, he experienced a full fall slate with the Vols, before the notorious spring of 2020 and cancelation of the dual season put a wrinkle in his transition to Tennessee.

“Prior to the shutdown, I did get to see the non-conference season with the team, including the ITA Kickoff Weekend,” Wallner said. “I think I got a pretty good insight into how the team operates. If I had to take a positive away from the season being cut short, I think it’s that it kind of gave me a break, since it was a pretty big transition from Temple to Tennessee. I was able to experience it, understanding that the most important part of the season is the SEC Tournament and postseason at NCAAs. I did get to experience how they compete, but not for the full length. The biggest positive was just getting that exposure.”

During that uncertain COVID-19 hiatus from competition, Wallner traveled back home to Germany, where he overcame some adversity and soon returned to practicing.

“I went back home and I actually got mono (mononucleosis) one or two weeks after I got home, so I wasn’t able to do any physical activity for six to eight weeks,” Wallner said. “The courts were closed anyways, but as soon as courts opened up I was basically back to being healthy and I just started working out on my own. I would also meet up with Luca (Wiedenmann) and we did some practice sessions at my house with workouts. That’s how I spent the COVID-19 season.”