#NextGenATP 17-year-old Engel makes history in Almaty

German wild card Justin Engel made history at the Almaty Open on Monday when he became the first player born in 2007 or later to record an ATP Tour win.

Engel, who turned 17 earlier this month, moved past #NextGenATP Hong Kong star Coleman Wong 7-5, 6-4 to clinch a historic victory on his tour-level debut at the ATP 250 event in Kazakhstan.

With his one-hour, 35-minute triumph, the German also became the youngest player to win a tour-level match since then-16-year-old Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the second round in Rio de Janeiro in 2020.

“This year has already been so good for me and now this, it is incredible,” Engel said. “At 17, to be able to win a main draw match is the best feeling I can ever have. I am lost for words.”

Engel saved nine of the 10 break points he faced against Wong according to Infosys ATP Stats, sealing victory on his second match point. Engel raised his arms aloft following his win and let out a beaming smile. Aiming to continue his journey, the No. 458 player in the PIF ATP Rankings will next play fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo.

“I have practised for a few days and am getting used to it but it is still very tough,” Engel said when asked about the high altitude conditions. “I love to play here. The facilities are great here.”

In May, Engel won his first ITF World Tennis Tour singles title at M15 Villach in Austria. Aged just 16 years and 231 days, Engel became the youngest German man to win a professional title at any level since Mischa Zverev triumphed at the Italy 7 Satellite event in November 2003. Engel has since won a further three ITF trophies in 2024 and reached the quarter-finals at an ATP Challenger Tour event in Spain earlier in October.

Wong is eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah and is trying to qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF for the first time. The 20-year-old won his first tour-level match in Hangzhou last month.

In other action at the hard-court event, Germany’s Maximilian Marterer defeated Damir Dzumhur 7-5, 6-4. The 29-year-old will face second seed Alejandro Tabilo in the second round.

Did You Know?
Engel is the third player born in 2007 to play on the ATP Tour this year. India's Manas Dhamne competed in Pune, while American Darwin Blanch took to court in Miami and Madrid. Blanch lost to Rafael Nadal in the Spanish capital.

More On Engel, by Ravi Ubha...

Engel earned a wildcard after bagging his first four professional titles, all at lower levels.

He was the lone wildcard recipient not stemming from host nation Kazakhstan.

“We got the message that I got the wildcard. I looked at my father and my father looked at me, and we were just like, ‘Is this real now?’” said Engel. “So it was a little bit of shock but at the same time I was really excited to play and very happy I got this news.”

Engel entered Almaty at a career high 458 and that is set to be eclipsed given his victory against fellow Next Genner Wong.

He reached a high of 56 in the junior rankings, only competing in one junior Grand Slam tournament. Along with dad Horst, the pair decided to contest pro tournaments early.

Engel collected his maiden Challenger match win against former world No. 36 Pierre Hugues-Herbert in July and reached his first Challenger quarterfinal in Villena — where Alcaraz honed his skills — earlier this month.

According to Engel, dad Horst played regularly until he was 17 before focusing on his education. After establishing his business, Horst returned to the tennis world in earnest by guiding women’s pro Anca Barna inside the Top 50.

“So that’s why I’m playing tennis now because my father thought, ‘Come on, now I have a kid, let’s try this again,’” said Engel.

He started playing at the age of three yet admitted to not always liking tennis. He persisted and now dreams of becoming the world No. 1.

Engel saved nine of 10 break points against the 20-year-old Wong, who himself won his first ATP match just last month in Hangzhou.

He often showed ferocious baseline hitting although it turns out that Engel also packs a punch elsewhere.

“I also did kick boxing, was very good at it,” said Engel. “I almost did it professionally but it was too dangerous for my tennis and so I stopped it.”

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