MUNICH, May 1, 2022

Holger Rune is the champion of the 2022 BMW Open by American Express, lifting his maiden trophy on the ATP Tour. The 19-year-old Danish wild card entry benefited from the retirement of Botic van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands in front of packed stands on a chilly Sunday afternoon at the MTTC Iphitos.

Both players were competing in their first tour-level final, but van de Zandschulp was forced to leave the court after 59 minutes of play, leading 4-3 in the opening set. About 10 minutes later, the No. 8 seed was back, played four more points but then decided to stop competing due to acute illness. Both players shook hands at the net and van de Zandschulp left the court again and was not able to attend the trophy ceremony.

Not the way we would have liked it to end – @Boticvdz has to retire at 4:3 in the first set. Speedy recovery Botic and all the best!🙏 @holgerrune2003, big congrats on your first ATP Tour title!💯#bmwopenbyamex pic.twitter.com/9H2T3G4tfL

— BMW Open by American Express (@BMWOpen2022) May 1, 2022

“This was probably the worst way to win a final,” said Rune afterwards. “I was obviously expecting a very tough match and he came out very strong. I just wish him all the best, a speedy recovery, and we all just hope to see him back on the court very soon.”

The World No. 70, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Friday, has become the third youngest Munich champion in the Open Era.

“I’m super happy, of course,” added Rune. “As I said, not the way I want it to end, but if I look through the week, what a week. I played some unbelievable tennis, really fighting my way through it. To be playing here in Munich and winning my first ATP title in front of such a brilliant crowd, I couldn’t really ask for more.”

Rune received €81,310 in prize money, a traditional Bavarian Lederhosen, 250 ATP Ranking points as well as a brand new BMW i4 M50. The only problem with it: the teenager doesn’t own a driver’s licence. Probably for the first time in the tournament’s history, the champion did not drive himself the victory lap on Center Court.

“I didn’t plan anything. A lot of people asked me here what to do if I win the car but now I want to take it as soon as possible,” Rune said with a smile. He will not play in Madrid and will have another week of practice at home.

“This is actually pretty nice to have a bit rest and having the chance to celebrate with my friends and family. It’s nice that I don’t have to rush. Rome is next,” explained Rune, who will break into the Top 50 for the first time when the new ATP Rankings will be released on Monday. “That’s great. I did better than I expected. My ultimate goal is Top 25 by the end of the year. That’s what my coach told me. Obviously, I wanna do better but let’s see.”

Kramies win first title on German soil

Earlier in the day, Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies delighted their home crowd by winning the doubles title. The No. 3 seeds fought past Rafael Matos from Brazil and Spaniard David Vega Hernandez 4-6, 6-4, 10-7 after one hour and 38 minutes.

Back-to-back ATP Tour titles 👏

Kevin Krawietz & Andreas Mies crowned @BMWOpen2022 doubles champions!

First all-🇩🇪 team to win in Munich since Michael Berrer & Rainer Schüttler 2008. #ATPTour #München🍺 pic.twitter.com/xZOfon3afB

— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) May 1, 2022

“It’s a huge pleasure and honour for us to win the title here on home soil in Munich,” said Mies after the match. “It was a really special moment today, to win our first title at home with Kevin, in front of our family and friends and everyone who came out and supported us today. It feels amazing. It was a tough final, our opponents did well to make it tough for us, but I’m happy we got through.”

“Last year was also a dream come true, but this year is even more special because of all the people supporting,” said Krawietz. “A full stadium here in Munich, family and friends. 13 years ago I played my first match here, every year I played Munich, so it’s very special to raise the trophy.”

By winning their sixth team title, their second consecutive triumph after the Barcelona Open last week, the pair split €28,250 in prize money and pocketed 250 ATP Doubles Ranking points.

“We didn’t win too many matches coming into Barcelona,” said Mies. “To be honest our confidence level was a bit low after a few tough first-round losses. But you have to try hard, try your best to come back and turn it around.

“I’m happy that we got the turnaround in Barcelona and won some tough matches. We came through and it gave us such a confidence boost for this week, and we wanted to back it up with a good week in Munich and we did it, so I’m very glad and very proud of our achievement.”

Munich Moments

* Organizers of the BMW Open by American Express announced a new record-breaking number of spectators attending this week’s event. 41,600 people came to the MTTC Iphitos and watched the matches. Six of nine days were sold out.

Record-breaking crowd for the @BMWOpen2022 confirmed: 41,600 spectators attended this week’s ATP 250 event in Munich.

Six of nine days were sold out.#ATPTour #München 🍺 pic.twitter.com/5lmz1yCNuf

— TennisTourTalk (@TennisTourTalk) May 1, 2022

* Tournament director Patrik Kühnen was pleased with this year’s line-up. “For the first time in years, two Top 10 players competed in Munich. The tournament’s cut was at World No. 69.” It was Kühnen, who awarded Rune a wild card into the ATP 250 tournament. “He is one of the biggest talents on the tour,” the former World No. 43 said.

” He is going to have a bright future. His attitude on the court is natural and refreshing. He showed some very good tactical skills and was very focused when he closed out the match against Alexander Zverev. He also represents a new generation of players and has been the first player, who thanked me for the wild card via Instagram,” Kühnen said with a smile during the final news conference on Sunday morning.

* Justin Engel was crowned champion of the Rudi-Berger-Cup, an Under 16 invitational tournament organized by the Bavarian Tennis Federation with some of Bavaria’s best teenagers competing in an eight-man draw. The 14-year-old from Nürnberg cruised past Sydney Zick 6-0, 6-0 in only 38 minutes.

Meanwhile on Court 1, Justin Engel was crowned champion of the Rudi-Berger-Cup, an U16 invitational tournament organized by the Bavarian Tennis Federation.

The 14-year-old cruised past Sydney Zick 6-0, 6-0 to clinch the trophy. #München 🍺

📸: Achim Fessler/BTV pic.twitter.com/TYbZOWOyvO

— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) May 1, 2022