Stunting Gijs Brouwer: ‘The dream is getting bigger again’ | Tennis

,,The dream is getting bigger again’, said the North Hollander afterwards in press room 3 of the gigantic Arthur Ashe Stadium. ,,I stayed well focused throughout the match. Mentally this was very strong. That also led to the fact that it stayed with three sets. At the end of the first set I thought: if I keep this up, a lot of good can happen. But I wasn’t really concerned with winning or losing the whole game.”

Mannarino won the ATP tournament in Winston-Salem last week, partly due to a solid victory over Botic van de Zandschulp, but he didn’t know what to do against Brouwer: 6-3, 6-4 and 6-4. The Dutchman’s low slices and stabbing forehands drove Mannarino to despair.

Moment of relaxation

Brouwer briefly thought about the victory in the third set. A minute later, he had lost his service game. “Then you immediately see how dangerous that is. I’m quite a calm guy. In the first round of a grand slam, it is better to keep calm than to let your emotions run wild. For me anyway. Of course, all kinds of things go through your head, but you just have to deal with that.”

“Quite a few guys he knows were making noise in the stands”

Coach Schapers, who coached Botic van de Zandschulp last year when he reached the quarterfinals in New York, was proud of Brouwer. ,,It’s admirable how well he kept to his plan for three sets. He is calm and very balanced. It is very pleasant to work.”

Coincidentally, Brouwer reached the quarterfinals of an ATP tournament for the first time earlier this year in Houston. Coincidentally, because Brouwer was born in the American city. His father worked in the Texas city. ,,I only started to believe in myself after certain results. There I have exhausted a lot of faith and trust. I don’t have much to do with it anymore.”

fans

During the match, Brouwer was passionately encouraged by about seven American young men. Afterwards it became clear why they were so in favor of him. ,,A friend of mine is studying in America. Quite a few guys he knows were making noise in the stands. I have good support here.”

The match point

Images: Discovery+