With Botic van de Zandschulp, Tallon groenpoor and Tim van Rijthoven, three Dutchmen are participating in the main tournament of Wimbledon for the first time in nine years. Greek track thinks that the three tennis players motivate each other.
“It’s beautiful. I think few people expected this last year,” says Greek poor on Sunday on the eve of Wimbledon. Ziggo Sports about the participation of the three Dutchmen. “We can stimulate and motivate each other.”
The 25-year-old Haarlemmer and Van de Zandschulp made the step to the top hundred of the world ranking last year. Earlier this month, Van Rijthoven stunted with the title at the Libéma Open in Rosmalen and climbed to 105th place in the ATP ranking.
“If you ask Tim, I think Botic and I had a small part in it,” said groenpoor, who missed the chance of a first semifinal spot at ATP level at the grass tournament this week. “That he sees: those guys can do it, then I can do it too. And now we think: Tim wins a tournament, then we can do it too.”
In 2013, three Dutch men last played in the Wimbledon main tournament. Robin Haase and Thiemo de Bakker then both stranded in the first round and Igor Sijsling made it to the third round.
Tim van Rijthoven stunted with the title in Rosmalen earlier this month.
Tim van Rijthoven stunted with the title in Rosmalen earlier this month. Photo: Getty Images
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‘I go on the track with much more confidence’
Greek track made its debut in the Wimbledon main tournament last year. The number 53 in the world then lost in the first round in three sets against Alexander Zverev, the global number two.
“Now when I play against a boy like Zverev, I go out on track with much more confidence and faith. I have mainly made physical steps, but also in tennis. I have started to serve better and have made some tactical steps. It is all-round all what steadier become.”
This time, Greek track will play in the first round against the Italian Fabio Fognini, the number 62 in the world. “It will be a very difficult game, because with Fognini you never know. If I serve well, there will certainly be opportunities. But he remains a very tricky opponent.”
Van Rijthoven will also take to the track on the opening day. The Grand Slam debutant, who received a wild card from the organization, will meet Argentinian Federico Delbonis. Van de Zandschulp starts Wimbledon on Tuesday with a match against Spanish veteran Feliciano López.
