Krawietz/Puetz make German history with Nitto ATP Finals triumph

Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz signed off their season in style in Turin Sunday by capturing their maiden Nitto ATP Finals trophy.

The eighth seeds downed year-end No. 1 doubles team Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic 7-6(5), 7-6(6) to become the first German duo to clinch the title in the tournament's 55-year history. In a highly clinical display of serving from both teams, Krawietz and Puetz held their nerve in two tie-breaks to seal victory in one-hour, 38 minutes.

“I don't know how to put it into words, it's an amazing achievement from us,” said Krawietz. “I’m very proud of us, we are proud of the whole team, everyone at home. To end the year here winning the title, it’s unbelievable.”

History is made in Turin ???

Kevin Krawietz & @GoldenSetTim become the first Germans to win the Nitto ATP Finals doubles title!#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/xq9F9eV0CA

After securing their second title of the year, Krawietz and Puetz guaranteed they finish the 2024 season as No. 4 in the PIF ATP Live Doubles Teams Rankings. It marks the third time that Krawietz has finished a season in a team inside the Top 5.

The eighth-seeded duo held their own throughout the week at the Inalpi Arena to become the lowest-ranked pairing to capture the title at the prestigious season finale. After claiming wins over Arevalo/Pavic in the round robin and in Sunday’s title match, Krawietz and Puetz improved to 5-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with all seven encounters coming in 2024.

“Two weeks ago I couldn’t even walk, now we are here having won the tournament,” added Puetz. “It’s amazing.”

Following their Davis Cup ties at the beginning of September, Krawietz and Puetz have played just one match heading into the season finale. Puetz picked up a calf injury at the European Open in Antwerp that forced him onto the sidelines for weeks. However, having made a late surge to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, highlighted by their inspired run to the US Open final, the Hamburg champions ensured they brought their best tennis to Turin and finished the season with their biggest title of the year.

Krawietz and Puetz rallied from a set and a break down in their semi-final, saving a match point en route to defeating Max Purcell/Jordan Thompson. The Germans, however, made no mistake in taking control of Sunday's championship match as they capitalised on an uncharacteristic forehand miss from Arevalo on set point to seal the opener.

Their exceptional serving continued throughout the second set, during which they won 86 per cent (24/28) of points behind their first deliveries, according to Infosys ATP Stats, and another tie-break was needed. Pavic had reignited hopes of a comeback with an incisive interception to save match point, but his hard work was undone when he blazed a routine smash long to surrender the match two points later.