Tim van Rijthoven still can hardly believe that he will face Novak Djokovic on Sunday. In the evening he will play against the six-time champion on the Center Court of Wimbledon. “I looked at the schedule last night to see who had won. Then you see yourself against Djokovic and that was quite a strange sight”.
Van Rijthoven and Djokovic play the third and last match of the day. The first game starts at 2.30 pm Dutch time.
The stakes are a spot in the quarterfinals. Van Rijthoven was already training on the track next to Djokovic on Saturday afternoon. Afterwards he confessed that he still can hardly believe the approaching meeting with the six-time champion.
Despite all the attention and his three matches at Wimbledon, Van Rijthoven says he still feels ‘super fresh’. “It’s nice that you have a day off at a grand slam after a game and that helps you to recharge and to be on the track with a fresh mind.”
“I try to keep my circle very small: my coach, family and girlfriend.”
Van Rijthoven indicated that he doesn’t get that much of what he unleashes. Newspapers like The New York Times wrote about him after reaching the fourth round. “I try to keep my circle very small: my coach, family and girlfriend. Because of that group I don’t get much of what is happening.”
On Sunday, from half past two, two other matches are scheduled before Van Rijthoven enters the field. At the tennis club Vierhoeven in Roosendaal, the TV is switched on on Sunday evening. Van Rijthoven played at the club for about ten years, where he started playing tennis at the age of five.
Members of the tennis club are welcome to join. They expect to switch on from about seven o’clock, although it is difficult to estimate exactly what time the match will start.
ALSO READ:
Tim van Rijthoven is the talk of the day at Wimbledon
Former trainer Tim van Rijthoven is very proud: ‘Talent was there early on’