During the week it had already become apparent that a special relationship would develop. At first, the obligatory “Struffi!” calls could be heard, which are always heard when Jan-Lennard Struff plays in this country. When the 33-year-old defeated Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the quarterfinals on Friday, spectators sang an evergreen with the line “Oh, how beautiful that is!”. During that game, a man sitting in the blazing sun at the top of the grandstand repeatedly shouted “Come on, Struffi, let’s go, baby!” called.
Struff later dedicated himself to writing autographs for minutes, balls, caps, shirts, he signed everything that was handed to him. And when a visitor at the stadium gave Struff his cell phone so that he could take a selfie with him, Struff had a problem: Now 15 others wanted it too. He grinned and granted all wishes. On Saturday, when he also won the semifinals, it was not much different, which is why the new German tennis man of the people raved about “great support”: “I always think it’s great in Germany, the atmosphere is always world class.”
Struff only missed the last step on Sunday, but the way the spectators cheered him on when he was called up at the award ceremony, one can say: Stuttgart was Struffi-Land this time. Even though the 33-year-old from Warstein lost in the final of the Boss Open against world number 12 France Tiafoe, 25, from the USA, almost 6: 4, 6: 7 (1), 6: 7 (8). In the tie-break of the third set, he missed a match point. From Monday, Struff will be higher than ever in the world rankings – in 21st position. There was also no other German success. Kevin Krawietz, 31, and Tim Pütz, 35, lost the doubles final against Croatians Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic 6:7 (2), 3:6.
In Munich he lost in the final against Nikolos Bassilashvili, in Madrid against Carlos Alcaraz
In his third final, which he has reached as a professional at an ATP tournament since 2009, Struff again missed the first singles title he had longed for. In doubles, he finished as the winner of an event on the highest professional tour three times, in Tokyo (2018), Auckland (2019, both times with Ben McLachlan) and Metz (2019 with Robert Lindstedt). In 2021 Struff lost in Munich in the last match of the tournament against the Georgian Nikolos Bassilashvili, at that time the final was held without visitors due to the corona pandemic. In May in Madrid, the spectators present were amazed at who this giant from Alemania, who attacked so skillfully and brought their favorite Carlos Alcaraz to the brink of defeat, is. Struff was, of course, a fair loser as always. He thanked the spectators at the microphone on Sunday for cheering: “It meant an incredible amount to me, even if this is a heartbreak to lose this match.”
In the high-class final against Tiafoe, whom Alexander Zverev recently defeated in the third round at the French Open, Struff immediately started dominantly, returned better, his powerful serve worked. Struff was supported by coach Carsten Arriens and physiotherapist Uwe Liedtke. His girlfriend, the two small children and his mother were also present during the week, and his father traveled to the final. But otherwise, he emphasized, Struff “didn’t want to have a huge entourage flown in” because one thing was important to him: “I want to keep my routine.” He is, sometimes you might not think so, because off the field he seems as relaxed as a yoga teacher, a very conscientious professional.
Always up for a joke: the American Frances Tiafoe grinned after a strange rally, although Jan-Lennard Struff made the point.
(Photo: Angelika Warmuth/Reuters)
Struff attaches great importance to training in all areas, he puts extreme strain on his body in training sessions, works a lot on his athleticism and speed, makes sure to take enough regeneration breaks. “That got me to where I am right now.” He was happy that in Stuttgart he was able to “take the momentum from the good tournaments before”. And also about feeling more comfortable on the most special surface in tennis: “In the past I have also paid a lot of lessons on grass.” The fact that he had failed in the first round of the last two Wimbledon tournaments was also due to “tough draws”, as he rightly found. In 2021 he was defeated by the Russian Daniil Medvedev, in 2022 Alcaraz.
Struff is set for the draw in Wimbledon this year
This time Struff should not immediately meet a top professional in this category in the All England Club (from July 3rd). Because he will be seeded in the draw thanks to his high world ranking. In any case, Struff is “happy with how things are going”. And he appreciates the popularity he is increasingly feeling: “It’s very exciting when you play in Germany. And that’s actually a good sign. Because you want to play well in front of the German audience.”
Kevin Krawietz took the missed title win in doubles with humor. “I’m considering putting on a skirt in the next final. Maybe we’ll win then,” said the man from Coburg at the award ceremony; he was referring to partner Pütz, who had won the mixed title at the French Open in Paris with the Japanese Miyu Kato. Krawietz and Pütz teamed up earlier this season, although it got off to a rocky start, for good reasons. First, Krawietz withdrew briefly in January due to the birth of his son and also skipped the Australian Open, then Pütz took a break, he became the father of a daughter in March and he already has a son. Even without a title so far, Krawietz sees a good development of the two. “We’ve grooved in now.”