Tim Ruehl's journey from U.S. college courts to ATP Challenger Tour success

Germany’s Tim Ruehl continued his breakthrough season by capping off another impressive week on the ATP Challenger Tour when he captured the doubles title at the Hamburg Ladies & Gents Cup in late October, partnering Belgium’s Michael Geerts. For Ruehl, it marked his second Challenger doubles crown of the season, following their triumph earlier this year at the Dutch Tennis Open in Bunschoten.

Reflecting on his latest success at the ATP Challenger 50 hard-court event in Hamburg, Ruehl said: “It was overall a very positive week. We had a tough draw but started strong and handled our matches well. The final was very close again, but in the end, we maybe got one or two more returns in the court, and that made the difference.”

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The 27-year-old from the small town of Waldshut-Tiengen, nestled in in the southwest of Germany, has enjoyed a steady climb up the doubles rankings this season, currently sitting at a career-high world No. 161. His long-standing partnership with Geerts continues to thrive—both on and off the court.

“We’ve known each other for a long time and played together at Arizona State University,” Ruehl explained. “He’s strong from the baseline, and I feel more comfortable at the net, so we complement each other well. We’ve also spent a lot of time together off the court, which makes it special.”

From U.S. College Tennis to the Pro Circuit

Before turning professional, Ruehl spent five years in the United States, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University and later completed a Master’s in Supply Chain Management at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

“I wasn’t a bad junior, but there were definitely better players,” Ruehl admitted. “My coach Peter Pfannkoch advised me to take the college route. At first, I was skeptical, but it turned out to be the right decision. I learned a lot about independence and how to deal with pressure, especially in a team setting.”

After returning to Germany, Ruehl based his training back home in Waldshut-Tiengen, near the Swiss border. Without a permanent coach, he works mostly on his own, with support from his father—a former competitive player himself.

Off the court, Ruehl is known for his passion for cooking and sports. A certified nutritionist, he enjoys preparing simple, healthy meals. “I have to eat gluten-free, so my go-to dish is a chicken pan with potatoes and vegetables—simple but good,” said the devoted FC Bayern Munich football fan, who also keeps an eye on MSV Duisburg, his father’s hometown club.

Top 200: Mission Accomplished

Looking ahead, Ruehl remains focused on finishing the year strong after achieving one of his main goals for the season—breaking into the Top 200.

“At the start of the year, that was the target, and I’ve managed to achieve it and solidify it with this title. Now Patrick Zahraj and I are heading to the U.S. for three weeks. Let’s see what more we can do. Overall, I’m very satisfied and want to end the season on a high note.”

Beyond competing, Ruehl is also working on giving back to the sport. Later this year, he and Zahraj will host a new national doubles event in his hometown: The Schlatter Open. Running from December 19–21, it will feature €15,000 (approx. $17,300 USD) in prize money plus hospitality.

“We want to create a platform for doubles players, who really deserve more recognition,” Ruehl said. “It’s exciting—players like Jakob Schnaitter, Constantin Frantzen, and even 2010 Wimbledon doubles champion Philipp Petzschner will compete. It’s going to be a great event.”