analysis
The 2024 tennis season is already in the starting blocks. But what is the balance of the German professionals around Alexander Zverev on the ATP tour for the past season?
On Christmas Eve, Alexander Zverev is heading towards the future again. Then the best German tennis professional will be on the plane to Australia. After a short family vacation in the Maldives. From the end of December, the Hamburg native will be taking part in the preparatory tournaments Australian Open in Melbourne prepare – the first Grand Slamtournament of the year.
The 26-year-old is number seven in the world rankings Down Under. If someone had announced this to him a year ago, he would probably have signed it straight away. After all, at the beginning of the year and after a seven-month injury break (several torn ligaments), Zverev didn’t know whether he would be back to his old level. And how long this would take. “It was the hardest year of my life, I love tennis more than anything else in life”said Zverev at the end of the season in November.
Zverev’s new, old goals
Now, a year later, it can be said: Zverev has made his comeback at a breathtaking pace. From the current world ranking position 27 to the ATP Finals and into the top 10. The annual match record of 55 wins to 27 defeats, two tournament wins and around 4.8 million euros in prize money testify to an increase and consistency at the highest level that can hardly be expected. An extremely convincing season under these circumstances.
In the coming year, Zverev can now completely rely on his body again and aim for his biggest goals. Defending his Olympic title in Paris and winning one Grand Slamtournament. “I’m very motivated, I don’t set myself any limits”said Zverev.
“Machine” Jan-Lennard Struff
Boris Becker shouted it out on social media: “Struffi, you are a machine!!!“, wrote the three-time Wimbledon winner. At the 1,000 tournament in Madrid, the Warstein native fought his way to his first major final and was narrowly defeated in three sets by the Spanish tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz. He also made it to the smaller tournament in Stuttgart until the last round – and lost.
They were the highlights of a difficult season for Struff. In April, the 33-year-old suffered from a broken toe and in June – after the French Open – another injury put him out of action for a long time. Among other things, the father of the family couldn’t get in Wimbledon and at the US Open compete. In any case, he only started the new tennis year in 167th position in 2022 due to a long-term foot injury.
Best ranking ever
“You’re in ranking regions where you have a lot Challenger (lower category tournaments; Editor’s note.) has to play. It’s not easy, it’s really hard work. I wouldn’t have dared to dream that things would turn out like this“, said the German number two after her last tournament this year.
The fighter Struff lived up to his name and even achieved his best ranking of his career to date with 21st place in June 2023. His match record on the ATP tour: 20 wins, 17 defeats. Earnings: around $1.35 million. An all-round successful season, even if it was severely affected by injuries. Struff will begin his tournament season in Hong Kong on New Year’s Day. His performance also impressed his colleagues on the tour. At the end of the year they voted him Comebacker of the Year.
The successors
For Daniel Altmeier It was a good season overall. From 94th place he worked his way up to 47th place – his best position to date “I learned a lot, was able to play through the year and take part in almost all the big tournaments. I also beat two top ten professionals“, says the 25-year-old from Kempen.
He has already proven against the top players Jannik Sinner (French Open) and Andrej Rublew (Hamburg) that he can meet the highest demands. His annual record on the ATP tour: 14 wins, 23 defeats. Prize money around one million dollars. Altmaier’s expectations for 2024 are high.
The knee did Oscar Otte to manage the entire (messed up) season. Starting the season 76th in the world, Otte fell back to 252nd place due to an operation and a difficult comeback. His annual balance on the ATP tour: 6 wins, 14 defeats, prize money: around half a million dollars. The 30-year-old from Cologne must now hope for a healthy 2024.
Also Dominik Koepfer is a great fighter. In the game against Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open, he tried to play with an acute torn ligament in his foot – which didn’t work. An injury to his batting hand had previously set him back.
Overall, a good season for the 29-year-old, who switched back and forth between the ATP Tour and the Challenger Tour. That’s why Koepfer often went under the public’s radar. The Furtwangen native is currently number 77 in the world and started the season as number 200. His annual record on the ATP tour: 7 wins, 6 defeats. Prize money around $375,000. He also hopes to remain injury-free in 2024.
From world ranking 128 to currently 51 – Yannick Hanfmann has also worked impressively on its ranking. The 32-year-old from Karlsruhe, who has been hard of hearing since birth, drew attention again last year and established himself among the world’s best.
At Wimbledon he drew attention when he upset Taylor Fritz (USA) in five sets, but ultimately couldn’t defeat him. Otherwise, he mostly showed solid performances, but Hanfmann was missing the big result in the season. His annual record on the ATP tour: 23 wins, 22 defeats. Prize money around $950,000.