Tim van Rijthoven passed his first Wimbledon test on Monday with flying colors. The surprising winner of the Libéma Open defeated the Argentinian Federico Delbonis in three sets (7-6 (7), 6-1 and 6-2) and concluded with satisfaction that his form is in good shape.
Only Van Rijthoven’s start on track 11 was a bit rough, but he did have an explanation for that. “From one side of the track we played on, you looked at the stadium and that’s a really magical view.”
“Maybe that’s why I was a bit distracted in the beginning. At least I didn’t feel completely comfortable in the first set, but after the first set I kind of waltzed over him.”
An important moment was the backhand pass with which the number 104 in the world eliminated a set point from Delbonis in the first set. “That was crucial and at such an important point something comes loose and I have extra focus on the ball. If I had lost the first set 7-6, then we should have seen it.”
His opponent Delbonis does not have a great track record on grass, Van Rijthoven also knows. “When I saw the draw, I thought two things: it is not a wrong draw, but there is also pressure because he has not yet won a match at Wimbledon. In the end I saw that he was not very good at it. on grass.”
Tim van Rijthoven clenches his fist after a point won.
Tim van Rijthoven clenches his fist after a point won. Photo: AP
‘Rosmalen has also taken its toll’
For Van Rijthoven it was his first match since his sensational tournament victory in Rosmalen, where he defeated the current number one in the world Daniil Medvedev in the final. After the Brabant grass tournament, the 25-year-old Dutchman was a lot of fun.
“I didn’t play tennis for four days after that. It was very busy with media and things around it and I was really lived for a few days. When I woke up after the fourth day I had a real headache. It also took its toll.”
“We did think about going back to Rosmalen to train, but in the end I started training on hard courts again. The bounce is a lot lower there and it is comparable to grass. I would prefer to have a few matches in between played.”
Van Rijthoven resumed training in the knowledge that he could make his Wimbledon debut thanks to a wildcard from the organization. “I received a call from someone from Wimbledon. In the end it was a phone call of a minute and a half, in which I was congratulated.”