Jan-Lennard Struff sees Munich title defense bid as 'perfect opportunity' to turn 2025 around

MUNICH—April 21, 2024, will forever be etched in Jan-Lennard Struff’s mind. On a freezing cold day in Munich, four days before his 34th birthday and after 15 years as a professional tennis player, he finally won his first ATP Tour title.

“For such a long career, it’s a bit absurd that I won my first title so late, but it was better late than never,” Struff reflected in a pre-tournament chat with Tennis Channel DE.

Returning to Munich as the defending champion is a whole new experience for the German, especially in front of his home fans.

“Yes, it's not like a normal tournament,” he smiled.

There are so many emotions coming back up from last year. It's just been special for me. And it's nice to come back to the venue

“It's a German tournament, it's awesome, it's always special to be here anyway. ´There were so many people at the training sessions—it’s just cool!”

What was equally cool for soccer fanatic Struff was the chance to warm up for the tournament with a visit to the Allianz Arena. The lifelong Borussia Dortmund fan had plenty to cheer about as his team played out a 2:2 draw against historic rivals Bayern Munich.

“It was very nice, I would say! It was good that we didn't lose, I think it might have weighed a bit on our minds, I would say. Of course I would have liked to have won, but it's fine,” he said.

“It was nice to be at the stadium. I was there once before, I think maybe ten years ago or eight years ago, had the chance to watch the game here. That was a Cup semi-final, where we won 8-7 after extra time. That was really cool too. I love just going to football!”

The points being shared was perhaps the best result all round, given his German teammate—and top seed in Munich—Alexander Zverev’s support for Bayern. The two caught up on the practice court on Sunday, but was it all friendly when it came to the football?

“Yes, we chatted about it a little bit already, but it was all chilled out” Struff laughed.

Munich the ‘perfect opportunity’

It’s been a tough start to 2025 for Struff, who hasn’t won a singles match since Marseille in February. His world ranking has subsequently slipped to 49 but he believes Munich could be the ideal venue to end that run.

Tough results for sure, I’m not going to lie. So, maybe it’s the right time to arrive in Germany. Things haven’t gone particularly well lately, but I’m working hard to turn things around—and maybe this week is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Struff faces a tough opening match against fifth seed Francisco Cerundolo, but will have the full backing of the fans when he takes the court on Tuesday.

Monte Carlo magic with de Minaur

He also has some recent positive experiences to draw on, thanks to a surprise doubles partnership in Monte Carlo. Struff teamed up with world number seven Alex de Minaur for the first clay court Masters tournament of the year—with impressive results. The two made it to the quarterfinals before losing to top seeds Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic

“I just asked him if he wanted to play because I was looking for someone to get into the draw with,” explained Struff.

“I needed someone who was relatively high (in ranking). We asked him, he hadn't played that many doubles, but we worked very well together and had a lot of fun. I like him, I've played a lot of matches against him in the past, and trained with him a lot. He's a very pleasant colleague and we played well, I thought,” he added.

“We had a good run and even had the chance to make the semifinals. Unfortunately, he lost in the singles semifinal, but I think he had an incredible week and how his game has developed on clay.

He beat me in the third round at Roland Garros last year, in four sets. He then played in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, so he is definitely becoming a clay court specialist. It's awesome, it's a great game.

So is there a chance we could see the two play together again in the future?

“That's not really on the cards for now. We're both focused on our individual careers. I'm happy to be able to play doubles from time to time. But physically, at almost 35, I have to cut back a bit,” Struff admitted.

“Can I, like a few years ago, play all the games individually and in doubles? It's just too much for that. Regeneration and everything has to be at the forefront and just taking it easy on the body a bit. But I'm happy to. Maybe we'll share the court again, that would be great.”