Status: Former ATP no. 30 had career wins vs Hewitt, Nadal, Djokovic, Wawrinka, Gasquet, Blake, Coria, Monfils, Safin, Gaudio, Krajicek, Verdasco, Santoro, Soderling. ATP career lasted from 2001-2011. Coaches at EBS Academy in Brussels.
DOB: June 22, 1982 In: Maaseik, Belgium
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 165
Tennis Inspiration: I was inspired by Boris Becker.
First Tennis Memory: Winning national championship in 1994.
Greatest Career Moment: Beating Lleyton Hewitt in Davis Cup in five sets (in Belgium in 2007 46 64 36 63 64).
Most Painful Moment: When doctors told me I had to quit due to injury (to shoulder and elbow in 2011). Losing semifinal in third set in Chennai against Ljubicic 2006 (63 36 76). Match ball…ace… but called out and no Hawk-Eye yet.
Best You Ever Felt On Court: During the week of final of Munich 2006 I believe. Played in final ( lost 64 62 to Olivier Rochus, the first ATP All Belgian final…also that week defeated Tipsarevic 57 62 64; Soderling 57 63 62; Kohlschreiber 75 64; and Nieminen in semi 61 62.).
Strangest Match: Playing somebody who was very sad because of family problem… crying on court during changeover. (Did you win?) I won.
Why Do You Love Tennis: I don’t know why. But the game is great. One against one.
Closest Tennis Friends: Raemon Sluiter. A very good friend who is coaching a Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor. I was coaching Tallon for four-five years.
Which Players Impressed You Most How They Could Play: Nadal first. Federer. Safin.
Career Accomplishments: ATP best ranking 30; Career record of 89-122; Earned $1,964,020 in career prize money.
ATP · Belgium · Davis Cup · Kristof Vliegen · Munich · Novak Djokovic · Rafael Nadal
Doug · October 7, 2021 at 12:00 pm
Scoop have you thought what would it mean if two men of equally rookie stadus had made the final of the U S Open? Sexisim aside, doesnt the impossibility of such an occurance suggests a failure of the WTA ratings system at least or worst a more widespread incompetance? Please dont tell me the scamdemic. What am i missing?
Scoop Malinowski · October 7, 2021 at 4:33 pm
Doug it’s another strong evidence of how the atp and wta are not equal. this phenomenon will never happen in the atp. it also proves another reality of pro tennis which Hans Gildemeister told me two years ago. He says it’s easier for girl junior to make it as a pro than it is for a boy junior.