The great advance of Botic van de Zandschulp: ‘He has to stay calm’

Earlier this year, De Veenendaler reached 50th place in the world ranking, his highest ranking ever. The advance of the 26-year-old tennis player from Veenendaal is related to the arrival of coach Peter Lucassen. “I think his vision of tennis is very good.”

Van de Zandschulp, together with Tallon Griekenpoor, gave Dutch tennis color again last year. The numbers 1 and 2 in the Netherlands have both been performing well in singles for months and are now permanent values ​​at the larger ATP tournaments. “We may both deal with it too easy and simple,” says Tallon groenpoor, Van de Zandschulp’s doubles partner in Rotterdam. “We’re just pretending this is normal. Perhaps that is also because we both feel that we belong here,” said a self-assured Greek track.

“I now train with players I used to see playing on TV,” says Van de Zandschulp with a smile. De Veenendaler has recently received several compliments from absolute top players. For example, Danill Medvedev, the number 2 in the world, said that Van de Zandschulp might have the best forehand in defense. Former world champion Andy Murray was also positive at the press conference in Rotterdam this week. “It’s not the least guys who say it, so it’s just cool to be among them,” said de Veenendaler.

An important part in the success of the man from Veenendaal is reserved for Peter Lucassen. The 33-year-old former tennis pro has been the full-time coach of Van de Zandschulp since September last year, having previously worked with him part-time. “We are in good spirits to get everything out of it,” said the tennis coach.

Van de Zandschulp learns a lot from Lucassen. The young tennis trainer is ready for him not only technically but also mentally. “I can lose everything with him. That gives me peace of mind and because of that my game develops more and more,” says De Veenendaler.

“For one it is important to have a sports psychologist, for another player it works to be able to talk to his trainer. I think it is especially important for Botic that he remains calm,” adds Peter Lucassen.

Then the question arises as to what can actually be improved in Van de Zandschulp’s game. “Everyone can see that he has a lot of power. He is now busy developing the variation. So the speed in his game, but also the defense,” analyzes Peter Lucassen.

Finally, the coach adds that there is still a lot in the pipeline for both Greek track and van de Zandschulp: “They are far from finished and they really want to show that.”