When is a 20-17 singles record a rousing success? When the player who completed the year with this record used it to move from his lowest ranking in ten years in January to a career-high world No. 25 by the end of the year.
Jan-Lennard Struff grinded out numerous clutch wins to complete a very successful 2023 season on the ATP Tour.
Jan-Lennard Struff 2023 Season Review
Early Season Momentum
Carrying a ranking outside of the top 150 into 2023, Struff needed to win early in the season to help him get bids at the tour’s top events. He survived qualifying to reach the main draw at the Australian Open and the Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells. Each time he lost to Tommy Paul in the early rounds, but the qualifying success helped him gain confidence and momentum.
After qualifying again at Monte Carlo, Struff built on his earlier wins as he made a run to the quarter-finals, taking down Albert Ramos Vinolas, Alex de Minaur, and Casper Ruud along the way. His win over then-fourth-ranked Ruud was Struff’s highest-ranked win since June 2021. He bowed out of Monte Carlo in straight sets to Andrey Rublev.
Two Mid-Season Finals
After some early season success, Struff looked like he might tail off after losing the qualifying of the Madrid Masters 1000 event. Then, after squeaking into the main draw as a Lucky Loser, he caught fire. Struff won five straight three-set matches to reach his first Masters Level final before bowing to superstar Carlos Alcarez in three sets. It was Struff’s best event as a pro.
The German followed up his finals appearance at Madrid with another run to a final, this time in Stuttgart. Struff lost the final to Frances Tiafoe, but his place in the top 50 was now secured.
What’s Next?
After fading a bit late in the season, Struff finished the 2023 season ranked as the No. 25 player in the world. His success brought his total career winnings near $10 million.
14 of Struff’s 20 ATP Tour level wins came on either clay or grass in 2023. With the first Grand Slam and the early Masters 1000 events of 2024 on hardcourt, Struff will have to continue to grind out wins to maintain his status inside the upper level of the game.
It is vital that Struff is able to validate his solid 2023 season with a good start in 2024.
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton – USA TODAY Sports
