Armed with a good load of self-confidence, the 28-year-old Griekspoor started his match against the four-year-younger American. On Saturday he won the Mallorca tournament and so he arrived with a title in his pocket and a dose of self -confidence in London.
Tallon Griekspoor watches for ‘old pitfall’ and knows that it must now happen on Wimbledon
But the best Dutch tennis player also knew that this offered no guarantee whatsoever. Two years ago he came as a brand new winner of the Rosmalen tournament to Wimbledon and immediately flew out in the first round. And so he was warned. Brooksby is also a dangerous customer.
The American may now be outside the top 100, three years ago he was the global number 33. After a long absence due to a wrist injury and a suspension (Brooksby missed a doping test in 2023 and got a thirteen-month suspension), but is now working again.
Tallon Griekspoor meets Jenson Brooksby (24), the man who revealed a ‘secret’ and returned after a ‘nightmare’
Griekspoor starts the game moderately
On Monday evening, however, there was nothing to be seen on Baan 14 on Monday evening. Griekspoor started the game very moderately. His service, which is just a weapon of the Noord-Hollander, abandoned him. He looked at lightning fast against a 4-1 deficit and made a negative impression. “Why didn’t I get a backhand yet?” It sounded despondent. Brooksby took the first set with clear figures: 6-2.
The second set also goes to Brooksby
In the second set the roles were reversed and Greek track took an early break. But he could not hold it for long and at the end of the second company Brooksby took another break and immediately the second set with 7-5. Griekspoor could only blame itself. He simply did not play well and produced far too many unnecessary errors.
Griekspoor cannot turn the tide
In the third set, Griekspoor had to turn the tide, but he couldn’t do that. Again Brooksby soon came a break and that blow did not overcome Griekspoor anymore, despite the fact that he eliminated three match points at a 5-2 deficit. Just like in 2023, the first round is the end station on Wimbledon for Greek track.
Griekspoor and Wimbledon is still not a happy marriage. He never got further than the second round.
In the second round, Brooksby faces the Brazilian teenage sensation Joao Fonseca in London.
Who is João Fonseca (18), the new superstar of tennis? “He completely beats someone behind the wallpaper”
Party Botic van de Zandschulp – Matteo Arnaldi will continue on Tuesday
Botic van de Zandschulp has to play his match in the first round of Wimbledon on Tuesday. After the first, the 29-year-old Dutchman also won the second set of the Italian Matteo Arnaldi, after which the Umpire decided to interrupt the party because of the incident darkness.
Van de Zandschulp leads 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5). The number 92 of the world ranking is from De Zandschulp. Arnaldi is the global number 43.
Botic van de Zandschulp has a comfortable 2-0 lead, but has to finish his match on Tuesday. © Marleen Fouchier