Four Dutchmen in anniversary edition ABN AMRO Open: you should know this about the tennis tournament in Ahoy | Tennis

The tournament has 32 participants. Of these, 24 were directly admitted based on their ranking. Three players received a wild card. This year they are Tallon Grepes (26), Tim van Rijthoven (25) and Gijs Brouwer (26). The remaining five tennis players come from the qualifying tournament that will take place this weekend.

A large part of the world’s best is present in Rotterdam this year. No less than five players from the top 10 of the world rankings act of presence: the Greek Stefanos Tsitispas (24), the Russian Andrei Roeblev (25), the Canadian and defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime (22), the Dane Holger Rune (19) and the Pole Hubert Hurkacz (25). The participation of grand slam winners Daniil Medvedev (26) and Stan Wawrinka (37) is on top of that.

The drawing of the balls took place in Rotterdam on Friday evening at 6.30 pm. Van de Zandschulp meets Borna Coric, the Croatian number 23 in the world. Greek track faces a qualifier, Van Rijthoven faces American Maxime Cressy (51st in the world) and Brouwer meets Swiss Marc Andrea Huesler (49th in the world). Check out the full draw below:

Until last year, the name of the ATP tournament in Rotterdam was ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. In June Krajicek announced the name change to ABN AMRO Open. The reason behind this is to draw more attention to the ‘open character’ of the tournament.

The last time the tennis toppers settled in Rotterdam was during the corona pandemic, with an adapted decor and a limited number of spectators. Still, it was a great edition with Auger-Aliassime winning his first individual ATP title by winning the final against two-time grand slam finalist Tsitsipas (6-4, 6-2). Greek track and Van de Zandschulp did not get further than the second round.

See tournament winner Auger-Aliassime’s reaction below

There are sixteen duos that compete for the title in Ahoy. Robin Haase (35) and Matwé Middelkoop (39) received a wildcard last year and seized this golden opportunity with both hands. They will defend their title this year. Wesley Koolhof (33), number one in the world, is the favorite for the overall victory with his British partner Neal Skupski (33). They will face competition from, among others,Greekspoor/Van de Zandschulp. They got a wild card. The other wildcard went to world top player Tsitsipas, who plays together with his brother Petros (22).

The qualifications traditionally take place the weekend before the main tournament. The most notable name on the list is Zizou Bergs (23). The Belgian is extremely popular on social media platform TikTok. Many of his videos are about tennis, the sport where he has never been in the top 100 of the world rankings. With an excellent week in Rotterdam, that immediately changes.

Three wildcards in the qualifying tournament are for the Dutchmen Sidané Pontjodikromo (22), Jesper de Jong (22) and Max Houkes (22). Both have never made their appearance in the main tournament.

Seven-time Paralympic champion Ester Vergeer (41) has been tournament director of the wheelchair tennis tournament in Maasstad since the first edition. New this year is the wheelchair tournament for women. The Netherlands is well represented in the world top. For example, Golden Slam holder (winning all grand slams and the Paralympic Games in one year) Diede de Groot is the ‘top seed’ and a towering favorite for the overall victory.

The winner of the Australian Open, the Briton Alfie Hewett (25), is the star of the men.

After the corona years, many tennis fans are allowed in again. During the previous edition, only 1250 enthusiasts were allowed in per session. The edition before that was even behind closed doors. This year ticket sales are even better than usual due to the recent Dutch tennis success. Ahoy Rotterdam can accommodate 10,000 people each session. The final day is sold out.

It is Krajicek’s greatest wish that his tournament has a Dutchman in the final. And preferably there is a world champion against it. A final like the last edition of the Libéma Open (Van Rijthoven defeated Medvedev) and the director is satisfied. Krajicek doesn’t think it’s impossible: ,,Last year I thought Botic could do this. But he lost early.”