Nobody clenches his fist more often on the pitch than him. Jan-Lennard Struff, who just won his first ATP tournament at the age of 33, talks to Sportschau before the Masters in Rome about motivation, family, the French Open, BVB and the Champions League final.
Sports show: Jan-Lennard Struff, what does the expression “Lupfen now!!” mean to you?
Jan-Lennard Struff: Lars Ricken! 3-1 winning goal in the 1997 Champions League final against Juve. I think we watched it downstairs in the living room in our new house when I was only seven. Unfortunately I don’t remember much else.
Sports show: And now the Champions League final again…
Struff: That’s just awesome. I’m really happy. I was in the stadium for the semi-final first leg against Paris, great atmosphere. I hope everything works now. But either way, it’s been an incredibly good European Cup trip so far.
Sports show: Are you currently playing the stars from heaven, perhaps the best tennis of your life?
Struff: Yes, I finally managed to win the first title of my career at the age of 33. I was told that would make me the third oldest player in ATP history (laughs). I’m just happy that years of hard work have finally paid off. And, to be honest, a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’ve always been very close over the last few years. Having finally achieved it was very important for me. That might release some more strength. I’ll definitely keep going at full throttle, it’s the only way. And then I hope I can play at this level for a few more years.
Sports show: As a teenager you didn’t go through tennis academies abroad but always stayed at home. Why?
Struff: Well, I just wasn’t good enough…(grins). I always enjoyed it and my parents were always very supportive, for which I am incredibly grateful, but it just wasn’t enough. Therefore, dropping out of school was out of the question at all. I just finished high school. And then I somehow worked my way into professional tennis, and it worked out.
Sports show: You don’t live in Monaco, but still at home in Warstein. What does home mean to you?
Struff: Home is something special for me. At home I can switch off from the stress of the tour. I travel around 250 days a year, most of them in big cities. It’s nice to enjoy the peace and nature.
Sports show: You have a wife and two children. Do they ever come on tour with you?
Struff: So first of all: I miss my family when I’m on the road. Totally clear. You have also been there on the closer trips. But I have to be honest and say that at the tournaments the balance between professional sport and family suffers a bit. This is not necessarily helpful for one side or the other. So, sometimes with family is okay, I think. But generally speaking, I’m not the biggest fan of tearing children out of their familiar surroundings and structures.
Sports show: Their second family, the big BVB family, is known for celebrating a tackle from winger Adeyemi in their own half more than a dribble won in front. Do you also see this sense of work ethic in yourself?
Struff: There are definitely parallels there. Putting in a lot of work, trying to always give full throttle, that’s something I really identify with. My parents taught me that. To have discipline, to have ambition and if I want to achieve something, to work for it. Of course, having fun is part of it, but I think you have the most fun when you know you’ve invested everything and gotten everything out of yourself.
Sports show: Who was your idol as a child, Boris Becker or Matthias Sammer?
Struff: Pete Sampras! Boris too, of course. But the time was a little too early for me as a child. What I can still remember is that I once got an autograph from him at the World Team Cup in Düsseldorf, so with Dad’s help I simply stood in front of him and didn’t let him through (grins). Later I really got to know him, as a Davis Cup player, and today he writes to me every now and then and wishes me luck, which is nice. And of course Matthias Sammer was also an absolute role model for me.
Sports show: Were your parents crazy about tennis too?
Struff: My mom definitely! I once skipped school one morning with Mom’s blessing and we spontaneously drove to Paris to the French Open. I’ll never forget. We slept in the car because we couldn’t get a hotel room. At 30 degrees. But we really wanted to be there. And the fact that I’m standing there now and playing myself, those are the moments when you think, beautiful!
Sports show: Millions of Germans play tennis, the DTB has the fourth most members in Germany, and yet tennis often flies under the public radar in this country. Does that bother you or do you find it pleasant?
Struff: So, I definitely don’t want to demand more limelight for myself. That’s fine, I’m fine. That wouldn’t suit my personality either. On the contrary, I am happy that I can move freely and do whatever I want. When I think of some footballers, they no longer have any privacy. But in principle it would be nice if other sports and athletes in our football-oriented society also got the attention they deserve, and I don’t just mean tennis and certainly not myself.
Sports show: Back on the pitch. Do the ATP statistics actually record how often you make your fist during a match?
Struff: (Laughs) Nope. I would probably be in first place. But I had to learn how to use my fist first. I used to go out of myself very little. I’m still an introverted person. But I developed it slowly.
Sports show: How important is it to you to push up together with your box?
Struff: My team has been doing a great job for years. I think it’s very good that the ATP allowed coaching during the game two years ago. My team helps me incredibly, each in their own way. They are like fixed points on the huge center court, they are like companions for me who accompany me through the match. They notice when I’m unsure, when I need encouragement. Or just motivation. We are one unit. I know I can play tennis well, but without my team none of this would be possible.
Sports show: The next Grand Slam tournament is the French Open at the end of May. Getting into the round of 16 twice was your best result so far. What are you expecting this year?
Struff: Difficult to assess. As of now I won’t be seated there. I’ll just have to wait for the draw. Of course it would be nice to go further, but you can’t say that in general beforehand. Of course you can dream, you have to, you have to create visions that you can strive for in order to get to the top in sport. But I know that you have to start working on space. Fight for every single point. We’ll see what happens in the end.
Sports show: What are you doing on June 1st?
Struff: Is it the Champions League final? HM ok. I hope I don’t have to play there. They’ve now introduced these evening games under floodlights, shit… In the past you could have said, it’s dark after work. That would be better (laughs). They won’t postpone the game because of me… No, that’s how it is. I’m professional enough for that. Let’s hope I’m still in the tournament this weekend. If not, maybe I’ll go to London. And when I have a free evening, I go out to dinner with friends and then watch the final together on TV.
The interview was conducted by Frank Meyer
