After taking some time out, Justin Engel is aiming high. The 18-year-old has big goals.
After taking some time out in the mountains, Justin Engel is aiming high: he is entering the ATP Next Gen Finals with big ambitions. And the 18-year-old tennis talent from Franconia also has big plans for the coming season.
“My goal for next year is to qualify for a Grand Slam, whether through the rankings or qualifying. And to be in the top 100 at the end of the year,” Engel said on Monday in an ATP discussion panel: “It’s a big goal, but I’m positive and will do my best.”
Tennis: Engel wants to reach the semifinals
He is currently ranked 187th in the world and can look back on great strides in the past season. Due to the withdrawal of Czech Jakub Mensik, Engel has now even slipped into the year-end finals of the best young professionals, which he sees as a “reward.” At the event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, he will play his opening match against Belgium’s Alexander Blockx on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.).
Engel also has big plans for the event, which he is the first German to compete in. “I’m enjoying it and I want to qualify for the semifinals,” he said.
After a long season, Engel recently took a short break and spent a vacation in the mountains with his girlfriend.
