This weekend the best padel players in the Netherlands will make their appearance in Norg. It promises to be a spectacle: it is the first time that the national top shows itself in Drenthe.
With sixteen couples for men and ten couples for women, the so-called P500 tournament is well occupied. The numbers 1 and 2 of the Netherlands are participating in both men’s and women’s. “It is unique that we participate in this tournament,” says Bram Meijer, the best padeller in the Netherlands. He plays together with his regular partner and number 2 of the Netherlands Sten Richters.
“We mainly play international tournaments. It fits our agenda, but we also think it’s good to show our faces in a new province,” says Meijer.
For Norger Ids Hannema it is a special tournament. The number 21 in the Netherlands would love to show the home audience how he compares to the Dutch top. “I think I’m going to have a nice advantage. I know the courses better than anyone else and I feel at home here.”
Hannema hopes that he will make it to Sunday. For that he has to win two games with his partner Xander Aue.
In the women’s tournament, Rosalie van der Hoek has a unique preparation for the tournament in Norg. She competes in women’s doubles at Wimbledon, and even won in the first round. Two years ago she made it to the third round of the Australian Open. Van der Hoek is sixth in the Netherlands in tennis and ninth in padel.
The best couple in our country also participates in the women’s tournament. Steffie Weterings (1) and Marcella Koek (2) won all 22 games they played in the Netherlands this year and thus won five titles.
The qualifications for the main tournament start today. Saturday and Sunday the main tournament will really start.