As a child, Gijs Brouwer dreamed about Wimbledon and made his debut there this year

No traditional holidays with family, friends and fun for Gijs Brouwer. While his Mexican girlfriend Regina joined his parents Idso and Jolanda in Venhuizen for Christmas, the tennis player from West Friesland is preparing for another year among the global tennis top on the other side of the world. The ATP tournament in Nouméa, on New Caledonia, an island in the Pacific Ocean, starts on January 1.

The tastiest pancakes

He’s not used to anything else. “I basically live my dream, I visit many beautiful places. But I also sometimes sit alone in my hotel room. For me it is no problem that I am often away from home, but it would not work for everyone, I think. I I am lucky that it is understood at home and that my girlfriend supports me.”

During the weeks at home there was time for family and friends. And for his mother’s pancakes. “You won’t get them this good abroad.” He also took the time to look back on the past twelve months. A period with sporting highlights, interspersed with lesser moments.

Text continues after NH Sport report below

After he qualifies for a grand slam for the first time in August 2022 – the US Open – the year of confirmation follows. And the Dutch public gets to know him thanks to a place in the quarter-finals during the ABN Amro tournament in Rotterdam. One also follows semi-final in Houston, coincidentally the city where he was born 27 years ago. And he is called up for it for the first time Davis Cup team. “Very cool,” it sounds convincing. “An honor to be able to represent your country.”

And then there is his debut at the tournament: Wimbledon. Because there he was, Gijs Brouwer from Venhuizen, on the sacred grass in London. “You dream about that as a little boy. When I think of Wimbledon, I think of thrilling finals between Federer and Djokovic, or Federer and Nadal. It’s a strange sensation when you get to play there yourself, unreal. It’s like entering your own fairytale. .”

After winning three qualifying matches (‘which are played on a different ground’), he is paired with the German world top player Alexander Zvrerev. Father Idso does not hesitate and follows his son to England. But when the match is postponed again and again due to bad weather, Brouwer senior starts to pinch him. Because an important appointment awaits in the Netherlands.

Idso finally loses the battle with time and returns without seeing his son hit a single ball. While Gijs is living his dream on the big track 1, his father is already back in West Friesland. “That was a shame,” says Gijs six months later. “Especially for him. I am more concerned with the match and really don’t look at who is there or who is not.”

Gijs plays a good match in London and receives the compliments, despite not being able to win a set: 6-4, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5). “But I made it a bit difficult for him. Afterwards I also received a lot of good reactions.”

It makes the current number 163 in the world long for more. More major tournaments, more good matches against the world’s best. “There were quite a few tournaments last year where I was quickly eliminated. It just didn’t work out. I have to ensure that I show my highest level more often and maintain it for longer.”

There are also concrete goals for 2024. “I have already ranked at 114 and really want to reach the Top 100. And winning a Challenge tournament, that would be nice. Those are realistic goals for me, it is possible. There is still plenty to learn, I know that. for sure. You’re never where you want to be.”