Jan-Lennard Struff, a 33-year-old German tennis player, has finally achieved his long-awaited dream of winning an ATP singles title. On Sunday, he defeated American Taylor Fritz 7-5, 6-3 at the BMW Open in Munich, becoming the first home champion at the tournament in five years.
Struff’s victory marks a significant milestone in his career. He had previously reached the final in Munich in 2021 but lost to Nikoloz Basilashvili. Last year, he reached two finals, losing to Carlos Alcaraz in Madrid and Frances Tiafoe in Stuttgart.
Despite his previous setbacks, Struff remained determined to break through. As the fourth seed in Munich, he didn’t lose a set en route to the title. He defeated Botic van de Zandschulp, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Holger Rune before facing Fritz in the final.
The semifinal match against Rune was particularly impressive. Struff upset the two-time defending champion 6-2, 6-0 in just 44 minutes. In the final against Fritz, Struff faced a tough challenge. He saved three set points in the 10th game of the first set and eventually won 11 points in a row to take the set. He then broke Fritz in the second set to secure the victory.
Struff’s triumph is a testament to his perseverance and resilience. At 33 years old, he is the third-oldest first-time champion on the ATP since 1990. He expressed his joy and disbelief after the match, saying, “It feels unbelievable, and to do it on home soil is just incredible. I waited so long. I’m 33 years old and played so long on tour. It’s just an amazing feeling to do it here in Germany.”
Struff’s victory is not only a personal triumph but also a significant moment for German tennis. He is the first German to win an ATP singles title since Alexander Zverev in 2021. His success will undoubtedly inspire future generations of German tennis players.
