Jan-Lennard Struff has reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the first time in his career, securing a historic milestone following the retirement of Hubert Hurkacz in the fifth set of their fourth-round match. The 36-year-old German, who overcame a two-set deficit, advanced with a scoreline of 3:6, 6:7 (5:7), 7:6 (7:2), 7:5, 4:2, after the Polish player was forced to withdraw due to injury.
A Historic Breakthrough in London
The victory marks a significant achievement for Struff, who becomes the oldest player in the Open Era—dating back to 1968—to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the first time. The match, played on the grass courts of the All England Club, saw Struff demonstrate remarkable resilience after falling behind early. While he dropped the first two sets, he managed to shift the momentum in the third, eventually capitalizing on Hurkacz’s physical decline.
“I came back in the third set,” Struff said following the match. “Eventually, I noticed he didn’t have the same speed on his serve. Towards the end, you could clearly see he was having problems. It was tough—it was madness.”
The Turning Point: Hurkacz’s Physical Struggles
The match took a decisive turn late in the fourth set. At 5:5, with Struff serving, Hurkacz left the court for a medical timeout, appearing to struggle with abdominal pain. The Polish player had already received treatment for back issues after the third set. Despite the discomfort, Hurkacz attempted to continue, but his mobility was severely compromised.
Struff maintained his composure, securing the fourth set before breaking Hurkacz’s serve in the fifth. Although the German briefly dropped his own serve in the final set, he responded immediately to reclaim the lead. When the score reached 4:2 in the fifth set, Hurkacz was unable to continue, ending the contest prematurely.
Looking Ahead: The Challenge of Jannik Sinner
Struff’s reward for his persistence is a quarterfinal showdown against the world number one, Jannik Sinner. The Italian, who is the title holder, represents the next hurdle for the German as he aims to extend his deepest run at a major tournament. Reflecting on his opponent’s exit, Struff displayed sportsmanship, stating, “Only the best for Hubi.”
The upcoming match against Sinner is scheduled for Tuesday. For Struff, who celebrated his first ATP title in Munich earlier in 2024, this performance underscores a career-best season. The German remains focused on the next challenge, acknowledging the magnitude of playing on one of tennis’s biggest stages.
Contextualizing the German Campaign
Struff’s success has been noted by his compatriots, including Alexander Zverev, who praised the Warstein native’s tenacity. Prior to the fourth-round match, Zverev described Struff as a “teddybär” who possesses an incredible ability to reset after early exits and compete at the highest level. Zverev himself continues his campaign in London, facing Jiri Lehecka as he seeks to progress beyond the round of 16.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Tuesday’s quarterfinal schedule to see if Struff can continue his momentum against Sinner. Fans can follow official updates and match scheduling through the official Wimbledon website.
