Tim Pütz can ensure the third German success in mixed in the long history of the French Open. The title chance comes quite unexpectedly.
Tim Pütz had the chance to win only the third German title in mixed at the French Open by accident.
The tennis pro from Frankfurt/Main is actually a specialist in men’s doubles and only got together with his Japanese playing partner Miyu Kato shortly before the registration deadline. “I’m not the mixed expert,” said the 35-year-old before the mixed doubles final at the classic clay court in Paris on Thursday (12 p.m.). “My career record is quite manageable and I haven’t played mixed that often.”
After four two-set victories in the tournament, Pütz can now hope for his first title in a Grand Slam tournament. The final is against his former doubles partner Michael Venus from New Zealand and Bianca Andreescu from Canada.
When registering, both Pütz and Kato did not have the necessary ranking list points with their originally intended partners, so they decided to take part together. After that, both also had to survive the difficult emotional phase after the disqualification of the Japanese in women’s doubles.
“To help as much as possible”
“I tried to help her as best I could,” said the Davis Cup player. “I was just sorry about what happened to her. I can only try to win the mixed with her. Then she can take some positive emotions from here.” Kato had been disqualified in her women’s doubles for hitting a ball girl with a ball.
Anna-Lena Grönefeld celebrated the last German success in mixed at the French Open in 2014, Cilly Aussem had previously been successful in 1930.