The organization of Wimbledon has given Tim van Rijthoven a wildcard on Tuesday. It means that the surprising winner of the ATP tournament in Rosmalen is participating in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career.
“I am going to play in the main tournament of a Grand Slam for the first time in my career. It is really fantastic. Unbelievable, actually. Indescribable”, 25-year-old Van Rijthoven told the AD†
The Dutchman made a big impression in Rosmalen last week. As number 205 in the world, he successively defeated the numbers three, two and one of the seeding list (Taylor Fritz, Félix Auger-Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev).
After his stunt against Medvedev in the final, Van Rijthoven already knew that he had a chance to win a wildcard for Wimbledon because of his tournament win. His participation in the third Grand Slam tournament of the year is now final.
Van Rijthoven also hopes to receive a wildcard for a preparation tournament now that he can skip the qualifications for Wimbledon. He aims to participate in Eastbourne or Mallorca.
“It would be great to draw against Djokovic”
The Wimbledon organization announced earlier this year that no points for the world ranking can be earned, because Russians and Belaruss are not welcome at the tournament due to the war in Ukraine. Van Rijthoven can therefore play freely and hopes to meet a top player.
“As a small child I dreamed of standing there and now I’m there. That’s why it would be wonderful to draw against Novak Djokovic in the first round,” he says. “Certainly now that there are no points to be earned, that seems very cool to me.”
The tournament win of Van Rijthoven, who won 99 places in the world ranking, is very special. He is the eleventh Dutchman with an ATP title and the first since Robin Haase in 2012.
Wimbledon starts on June 27. Earlier this year, Van Rijthoven made his first attempts to participate in a Grand Slam, but he failed to qualify for both the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
Dutch in ATP final
- 1. Tom Okker – 48 (26 titles)
- 2. Richard Krajicek – 26 (17 titles)
- 3. Sjeng Schalken – 12 (9 titles)
- 4. Jan Siemerink – 12 (4 titles)
- 5. Paul Haarhuis – 8 (1 title)
- 6. Robin Haase – 5 (2 titles)
- 7. Jacco Eltingh – 4 (4 titles)
- 8. Michiel Schapers – 4 (0 titles)
- 8. Raemon Shutter – 4 (0 titles)
- 10. Martin Verkerk – 3 (2 titles)
- 11. Peter Wessels – 2 (1 title)
- 12. Mark Koevermans – 1 (1 title)
- 13. Tim van Rijthoven – 1 (1 title)
- 14. Huub van Boeckel – 1 (0 titles)
- 15. Botic van de Zandschulp – 1 (0 titles)