Who is Justin Engel, a 17-year-old talent that warmed Stuttgart? (a story)

Stuttgart. World and specific German tennis has a new sensation. He is only 17 years old, in the ATP ranking he has a place in the third hundred, and yet he has taken care of a stir in Stuttgart’s tournament, which will resonate for a long time.

We are talking about the new German talent named Justin Engel. Not only has he become the youngest quarter -finalist in the history of the Stuttgart tournament, but also the youngest grass player in almost 40 years who got so far.

And to make matters worse, one of the early records of the legendary Spaniel Rafael Nadal equalized.

Historical tournament

When Engel, a native of Nuremberg, entered the grassy court at the ATP Boss Open in Stuttgart, few suspected what story he would start writing.

The player, who included up to 281 in the ATP ranking, was given a free card from the organizers and took advantage of his chances in a way that was also amazed by experts. His tournament was like a dream.

In the first round he coped with the seasoned Australian James Duckworth, when he turned the result in the third set from an unfavorable condition of 2: 4. The match lasted almost two and a half hours.

Video: Justin Engel Match – James Duckworth (from time to 9:45 min)

This is despite the fact that he had to be treated for dizziness during the third set. To make matters worse, it was Engel’s first professional match on the grass surface.

In the second he declared the seventh deployed and 35th of the world player, American Alex Michelsen, twice 6: 4. This victory was written in history.

He became the youngest quarterfinalist in the history of the Stuttgart tournament and at the same time the youngest quarterfinalist on the grass surface on the ATP circuit since 1985.

Video: Justin Engel’s match – Alex Michelsen

Thanks to these victories, Engel secured a jump in the ATP ranking up to the Top 250. He also jumped in the Pif ATP Live Race to Jeddah ranking by three rungs to 10th place.

This is a continuous scoring determining the participation in the prestigious NEXT Gen ATP Finals final tournament in December in Saudi Jewish. This ranking is dominantly led by Czech unit Jakub Menšík.

Tribute to legends and own way

Statistics and records are one thing, but Engel’s performance on the court was even more impressive. Against Michelsen did not allow the opponents not one break and in his submission showed a peaceful and mature performance.

« I’m really proud of my performance, » the young German said after the match.

« It is most important for me to have fun because it is my life. I have never been very interested in statistics and records. But I definitely notice that hard work pays off. When they compare you with big names, it is of course a great feeling and motivates me to work, » Engel added.

And the big names are not just empty words. Engel A became only the second player since 1990 after Nadal, who was able to win at least one ATP Tour match at the age of 17 on all three surfaces – on concrete, clay and grass.

Nadal is the tennis idol of Engela, which gives the whole parallel even more weight.

These are not the only milestones. In the past, he became the youngest German ITF winner in more than 20 years, when he won his first title on the ITF circuit in Villach in May 2024 as a 16-year-old.

From Moldova to the tennis peak

But the story of Engela is not just about statistics. It is a story about determination and unusual journey. He was born in Nuremberg if he was brought by tennis, Father Horst, who is also his coach.

After the historical victory in Kazakhstan, his former Davis Cup representative and German legend joined his coaching team Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Last October Engel successfully debuted in the main ATP Tour competition in Almaty and became the youngest player of the 2007 year, who won the match on the ATP Tour.

It is interesting that Engel lived in Moldova at the age of two to five. He speaks German, English, Romanian and a bit Russian.

Before he started his tennis career, he focused between eighth and twelve years at a high level of kickboxing.

Perhaps even from there is his militancy and the mental resistance he shows on the court. His favorite blow is backhand along the line, which he destroyed the opponents in Stuttgart.

Video: Justin Engel Match – Félix Auger -Aliassime

Another unconventional story was the match at the May Hamburg Open, where he unexpectedly overcame an older colleague Jan-Lennard Struff, who apparently guarded him as a child.

Although Engelo’s graceful Stuttgart ride ended in the quarterfinals with a favorite Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassim, he showed the world that it needs to be counted. After all, it entered the season of 2024 even from 1344.

The world of tennis with tension watches where this German tennis player will make it. But one is certain. The name Justin Engel needs to be remembered. Maybe a new future star was born.

The author writes for the portal tbtennis.cz