AUGSBURG, August 19, 2025
For Max Schoenhaus, the first step into the professional tennis spotlight has arrived. The 18-year-old German celebrated his maiden ATP Challenger Tour match win in the opening round of the Schwaben Open by Great2Stay on Monday, overcoming Czech opponent Jakub Nicod in a dramatic three-set battle that ended with Nicod retiring due to injury.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Schoenhaus struggled with unforced errors early on, dropping the first set 1-6. But the Junior French Open finalist showed his resilience, gradually settling into his fluid, varied playing style that has already made him one of Germany’s most exciting young prospects. He leveled the contest with a gutsy tiebreak performance, sealing it with a signature backhand winner down the line. At 3-2 up in the decider, Nicod was forced to stop due to a thigh injury, handing Schoenhaus the victory after one hour and 45 minutes.
Afterward, the teenager spoke with the mix of maturity and humility that has already become characteristic of him:
“Although Jakub is three years older than me, we already know each other from juniors and we’re also teammates at TC Sprendlingen in the second Bundesliga. Of course, you don’t want to win against a good friend in this way, but unfortunately, that’s part of tennis as well.”
Schoenhaus was equally honest about his performance: “I made a lot of unnecessary mistakes in the first set, but then I managed to fight my way back into the match. It definitely wasn’t a brilliant performance today, but I’m really happy to have earned my first win at Challenger level.”
A rising name in German tennis
Schoenhaus is part of a new wave of German tennis talents looking to establish themselves beyond the junior circuit. Ranked No. 9 in the ITF Junior World Rankings, he has already shown that he can thrive on big stages. His run to the 2025 Roland Garros Boys’ Final drew attention to his one-handed backhand, tactical intelligence, and fighting spirit – qualities that now seem poised to carry him into the professional ranks.
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As he continues to gain experience at Challenger level, the German youngster remains grounded. For now, Schoenhaus is content to celebrate his milestone, but his ambitions clearly reach much further. With his first Challenger win in the books, German tennis fans may soon hear his name mentioned alongside the country’s next generation of rising stars.
