Jan-Lennard Struff reveals his only regret: “I wish I’d won my first title younger”
The German said an earlier victory might have given him more confidence to achieve bigger things
Jan-Lennard Struff wins the title in Munich
It took Jan-Lennard Struff until 2024 to win his first ATP Tour title, at the grand old age of 33, the third-oldest first-time winner in ATP history.
The German broke his duck on home soil in Munich and says he would have signed up for his career, if anyone had offered it to him when he was young, but his only regret was that his first title didn’t come sooner.
“I was missing this in my career for so long, and this was really huge for me, and to do it in Germany was amazing,” Struff said, on the eve of the UTS Grand Final, which begins in London on Friday.
Was it worth the wait?
“Yeah, 100 percent but I wish I did it early in my career,” he said. “It would have helped me maybe a bit more to to to do something (extra), like to build a bit if you win something, you build a bit more belief or a bit more confidence or whatever.
“But still, in general, I had a very good career so far. I’m very pleased and happy. As a kid – I always have to see this in a bit bigger picture – I would have signed everything what happened with a tennis career, amazing, and I couldn’t have dreamed of this. But still, we’re professionals and want to push for more.”
“I’m happy with my season”
Winning in Munich was the obvious highlight but Struff said he’s proud of his achievements overall, especially given injury issues which checked his progress.
“It was a very solid year,” he said. “Of course, there was like, ups and downs. I wish I would have played, from Olympics a bit better, but I mean, was injured after, and didn’t find the good rhythm. But in the end, I felt like Davis Cup, and last tournament, I played good tennis again and finished a bit stronger.”
Given the injury struggles, Struff comes away pleased with his 2024 campaign, even if he didn’t manage to lift his ranking.
“The clay season was really good, and won my first title. So this was amazing, and had some good results. So very pleased and happy with the season. Although you always try to get a bit improvement, I started the season at 21 (in the rankings), finished at 42, which on the numbers it wouldn’t sound like a good season, but I finished within top 50 and with the injury, it’s a very good season.”
Struff: “I hope I can push some more years”
At 34, Struff knows he is approaching the latter stages of his career but the German said he’s ready to make the most of however long he has left.
“I hope I can push some more years,” he said. “Hope to be healthy, hope to have a lot of fun and enjoy, and for sure, play good tennis, have some great matches, fight, have some good wins. Ranking wise, it’s tough to say something, but I just want to fight and not give up.”
