“Milestone for German tennis”
German novelty at the French Open
06.06.2025 – 5:52 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The French Open experience a German happy ending. For the first time in the history of the tournament, two Germans meet in the junior final.
History is written in Paris-and not for the professionals, but in the junior competition. While Alexander Zverev left the men’s in the quarter -finals, the offspring excited: On Saturday, meeting Max Schönhaus and Niels McDonald two German talents in the final of the French Open.
Both 17-year-olds prevailed confidently in the semi-finals. Schönhaus defeated the Bulgarian Ivan Ivanov 6: 3, 6: 4. McDonald gave the Japanese Ryo Tabata no chance at 6: 2, 6: 2.
It is only the third time that two German players face each other in a single final at a Grand Slam tournament of the juniors. Previously, this was only the case in 1993 at the Australian Open (Heike Rusch against Andrea Glass) and in 1995 at the US Open (Nicolas Kiefer against Ulrich-Jasper Seetzen). Alexander Zverev had reached the final in Paris in 2013, a year later he triumphed at the Australian Open-the last German junior champion at a Grand Slam until today.
“This shows that we have a few good boys who now have to continue to accompany them on their way,” said ex-professional Philipp Petzschner, who works as a national coach for the German Tennis Bund. With Justin Engel and Diego Dedura, two other 17-year-olds recently caused a sensation at ATP tournaments in Munich and Hamburg.
DTB Vice President Veronika Rücker also emphasized the importance of success: “The purely German finale at the Junior French Open is a milestone for German tennis sports and underlines the very good development in the youth area.”
McDonald, who was born in Cardiff, grew up in Schwerin and now trained in Sweden, was enthusiastic: “It is simply incredible to be here in the final.” Schönhaus, who comes from Soest and is in the second Bundesliga for Oldenburg, is looking forward to the duel: “We are good friends, it will be great fun.”
A promise from the apron now has surprising consequences for Petzschner. He had announced before the tournament that in the event of a German final participation, the players should do what they wanted with his hair. “I am excited to see what you come up with and will probably run around with caps from tomorrow,” said the former double specialist with a smile.