Exciting. That is the word that former tennis stars Paul Haarhuis from Eindhoven and Miriam Oremans from Berlicum use when it comes to Tim van Rijthoven’s debut at Wimbledon. The tennis player from Roosendaal will start his first Grand Slam on Monday. “He should enjoy the moment,” says Haarhuis.
“I was amazed when I first walked through the gates of Wimbledon”, Haarhuis remembers well when he thinks back to 1990. In the same year Oremans made his debut on the sacred grass. “I was quite a bit nervous.”
The prestigious Wimbledon exudes tradition in everything. For example, the clothing must be stark white. “You can’t get away with a red line”, Haarhuis laughs. This edition is also celebrated that the center court from Wimbledon 100 years exists†
Haarhuis remembers well that it took him years to get on that one time center court to be allowed to play. He didn’t even come close to dressing room 1. “It is really only for the seeded players and the big names.”
“He has to focus on what he can control.”
Tim van Rijthoven has a small advantage with his debut in London at a Grand Slam, namely that he already played at Wimbledon as a youth player.
“He would have signed up for this five weeks ago,” says Haarhuis, who believes that Van Rijthoven has nothing to lose. “He has to focus on what he can control.”
Both former tennis players think that the 25-year-old tennis player from Roosendaal is strong enough in his shoes and is sober. Although Haarhuis, who is also Davis Cup captain, immediately makes a reservation. “He already had that service a few years ago. Above all, he needs to become more balanced and gain experience.”
After the win in Rosmalen, Oremans is especially curious about what that has done to Van Rijthoven mentally. “How does he deal with this new status? And, not unimportant, how does his environment deal with this?”
“Now he hasn’t played for two weeks.”
Haarhuis does not think the preparation for Wimbledon is optimal. Van Rijthoven has not played a game after Rosmalen. “I went straight on. Now he’s getting the biggest game of his life and he hasn’t played for two weeks.”
In Rosmalen, Van Rijthoven also defeated a number of top 10 players on grass. ”And he can now expect that level again,” says Oremans. New for the Roosendaler is that he could play five sets at this level. “Everything is new, exciting and spicy, but he has dreamed of it for 15 years. It’s about what’s in his head,” adds Haarhuis.
“Tim has shown that it can go fast.”
“It is logical that it is exciting”, says Oremans, who hopes that he will win the first round against the Argentinian Delbonis. “I believe he is ready.”
Haarhuis considers every match that Van Rijthoven plays at Wimbledon a milestone. “Tim has shown that it can go fast.”
- Miriam Oremans (49) made her debut in 1990 and participated 12 times. She lost her very first match. Her best performance at Wimbledon was a semifinal in doubles.
- Paul Haarhuis (56) played at Wimbledon between 1990 and 2003. He won on his debut. In 2003 he won the doubles tournament.
ALSO READ:
Tim van Rijthoven about Wimbledon draw: ‘Full self-confidence on the track’
Interesting draw for Tim van Rijthoven at Wimbledon