Tallon Griekspoor moved back into the winner’s circle in Brussels on Sunday. The Dutchman took out Jan-Lennard Struff in a three-set battle to claim his fourth career ATP title, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
It was an emotional one for the 30-year-old, who has struggled with injuries and form throughout the 2026 season.
Notably, Griekspoor was forced to withdraw from the Dubai final in February, and he endured several long losing streaks during the year. All of it has taken him from inside the Top 30 to his current ATP ranking of No.60.
“It’s been a very, very difficult year for me,” he said in his post-match speech as he addressed his team. “Some very, very tough moments on the court, off the court, where I lost the belief sometimes. You guys never, never lost the belief in me. I know I’m not easy to work with, but you guys are not easy either, so that’s pretty even, I would say.”
Griekspoor rallied from a set down to improve to 4-0 lifetime against Struff, closing out his victory in two hours and two minutes.
“Another big fight,” he said. “Very, very challenging match again. We played a couple of times before, and all of them were absolutely fights, which could have gone either way.
“I don’t know how it went my way. Just tried to stay in there, hang in there. I was not playing my best again in the first set. Somehow found some good tennis towards the end of the match.”
Griekspoor scored the critical break with Struff serving at 3-4 in the second set and won 12 of the final 15 points of the set to turn the tide.
In the third set, the players were deadlocked at four-all without a single break point opportunity when Struff faltered in the ninth game, dropping serve at 15.
Griekspoor served out the title at love, dropping to his knees in elation after sealing the victory.
Struff, playing his first hard-court final on the ATP Tour, was bidding to become the second-oldest ATP champion on tour in 2026, behind Novak Djokovic, who claimed the Beijing title at the age of 39. He defeated Arthur Fils in the semifinals for his third Top 10 win of the season.
“You played an amazing week,” Struff said to Griekspoor during the trophy ceremony. “It’s always fun to play against you. Obviously, the last four matches were very tough for me. I need to say it’s 0-4 now head-to-head, but I will try again.”
Griekspoor had kind words for the German in return.
“First of all, Struffi, you’re an unbelievable player, unbelievable person,” he said. “I said to my team the other day, if I would train kids, I would tell them all to watch you, with your attitude, day in, day out. You’re an example for everyone, every point, every match. So yeah, congrats for this week.”
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