In an impressive display of talent, 17-year-old Justin Engel recorded a significant milestone at the BOSS OPEN in Stuttgart by defeating James Duckworth. His victory places him among an elite group, becoming only the second player since 1990 to win a tour-level match on hard, clay, and grass surfaces at such a young age. The only other player to achieve this feat is none other than Rafael Nadal, who accomplished it at 17 years and two months.
Engel’s latest win adds to an impressive record, as he had previously secured victories in Almaty on hard court last October and in Hamburg on clay last month. As he began the tournament ranked a career-high World No. 281, his performance has positioned him as a rising star in the ATP rankings.
Notably, Engel joins a distinguished list that includes other tennis greats: three of the top five players celebrated for similar achievements—Nadal, Lleyton Hewitt, and Carlos Alcaraz—have reached the top spot in the ATP Rankings. He is also set to compete against seventh seed Alex Michelsen on Thursday, hoping to advance further in the tournament and achieve the milestone of winning multiple matches at a single tour-level event for the first time.
Engel’s journey is a reminder of the potential within the NextGenATP talent pool, showcasing how young athletes can make their mark on the professional stage. With determination and skill, Engel may just be on his way to following in the footsteps of legends in the sport.