LO 2022: ‘Few finer things in life’

It still has to sink in, but the fact remains that Tim van Rijthoven has won the Libéma Open 2022. And then to think that this year in Rosmalen he won his first ATP matches ever. That against world class players like Felix Auger-Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev. For the 25-year-old from Roosendaal, things are going to change in the near future.

‘This means so much. A lot changes after a title like that. Suddenly a place in the top 100 is very close. Achieving that would mean that I would be in the main tournament at the Grand Slams. It also means that I can play more ATP tournaments, that the income grows and there will be more beautiful matches and more points. In short: an incredible amount of good things.’

While he, of course, placed the balls on unreachable spots for world class opponents, Van Rijthoven also received the necessary support and help from friends and family, his coach Igor Sijsling, the tennis federation and he could count on a wildcard for participation. ‘Also the role of the grass in Brabant is not to be underestimated in the success week’, said the brand new tournament winner.

‘My game is very suitable for grass and this type of court has contributed to the final victory’.

The final on the packed centre court will not soon be forgotten by Van Rijthoven, who is the first Dutch winner of the event since Sjeng Schalken in 2003.

‘It was fantastic to be there. That’s why I hit almost everything. I especially took in the atmosphere and the crowd was fantastic. The weather was great too. Everything was great. You then stand opposite the future number one of the world in the final of an ATP tournament, fighting for the title. For me, there are few things in life more beautiful than that.’