In four tennis tournaments, Stuttgart, Rouen, Munich, and Barcelona, maiden champions were crowned over the weekend. That is highly unusual on a normal week but especially considering that Iga Swiatek and Holger Rune were vying for three-peats in Stuttgart and Munich respectively. In the case of Munich, a brand new ATP title holder, Jan-Lennard Struff earned the trophy.
Let's look at how the champions, Elena Rybakina, Sloane Stephens, Jan-Lennard Struff, and Casper Ruud, celebrated their wins starting with Rybakina in Stuttgart. She won a brand-new Porsche but cannot drive it yet because she does not have a driver's license. That means she opted for dancing to decompress after a stressful and satisfying tournament.
Elena Rybakina blasting 50 Cent in her new Porsche pic.twitter.com/yRnHBG9xtN
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 21, 2024
Sloane Stephens won in Rouen. Anytime Sloane wins, especially on her favorite surface, it is time for a party. We did not see social media evidence of the party, but we love the post-tournament pictures on the court.
Struff and Ruud celebrated too
Jan-Lennard Struff is 33 years old and won his first ATP title over Taylor Fritz. The German won in front of his home crowd which had to be even more satisfying. He turned professional in 2009 so the perseverance he had to keep plugging ahead for 15 years old without a title is impressive. Struff has playing his best tennis in the past year and is ranked in the Top 25. He knocked out two-time defending champion Holger Rune in straight sets in the semifinals and Felix Auger-Aliassime in the played.
A TITLE for 33yo Jan Lennard Struff!
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) April 21, 2024
Champion in Munich.
Finally! pic.twitter.com/zMR5DVDnpc
We saved the best for last. Who wasn't happy for Casper Ruud? He defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas one week after losing the final to Tsitsipas in Monte Carlo. Ruud engaged in one of my favorite post-match traditions after the Barcelona Open. He took a flying leap (with socks on his feet) into the pool with the ballboys and ballgirls. It is always a happy event, but the ballboys and girls particularly enjoyed splashing Ruud. Ruud never won a ATP 500 event so his 11th career ATP title is even more special.
Casper Ruud does the famous pool dive after winning his biggest title in Barcelona.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 21, 2024
One-legged cannonball. 😂
10/10 for the Viking king.
pic.twitter.com/7wMqdwh3hW
In addition to last week in Monte Carlo, Ruud has been a finalist at multiple Grand Slams, the ATP Tour Finals, and other tournaments. It was especially satisfying to watch him soak in the celebration and fun (pun intended).