MATCH PREVIEW
Dennis van Scheppingen (Netherlands) – Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spain, 2)
Van Scheppingen believes he’s in with an outside chance against Ferrero because of his flat, direct stokes. However, the disparity between the Spaniard (third in the world) and the Dutchman (a qualifier) is simply too great. Ferrero, who is making his first court appearance since suffering a muscle injury, will win in straight sets.
Head-to-head: none
INTERVIEW My dream came true at Roland Garros
Whenever people hear the name Juan Carlos Ferrero, they immediately conjure up images of last year’s Roland Garros final, during which the 24-year-old Spaniard beat Dutchman Martin Verkerk. The world number three is due to play Dennis van Scheppingen later today. And with the Davis Cup match between the Netherlands and Spain planned for April (in Spain), Van Scheppingen won’t be The Mosquito’s last Dutch opponent this season.
You suffered a hamstring injury, which required you to take some rest. Are you completely fit again?
"I feel absolutely fine. I’ve had enough time to recover since my semi-final match in Melbourne. I didn’t doubt that I would be able to play here in Rotterdam, and my two-week break allowed me to recover completely."
Was your injury the result of excessive strain?
"I think so. It was a very long season. First there was the hard court season in the US, followed by the US Open, the indoor season in Europe, the Masters Cup in Houston and the Davis Cup final in Australia, last December. I barely had time to recover before the new season started. I played a few tournaments in the run-up to the Australian Open, and I think that’s what broke me up in Melbourne."
Are you going to take more breaks this year?
"I hope so. It really depends on how well I perform. If I play well, I’ll be able to take a break more often. If not, I’ll have to play as much as I can to retain my current ranking."
The Davis Cup match between Spain and the Netherlands is scheduled for April. Perhaps that’s a good time to take a week off?
"Sure! No, I intend to take some time off before or after the Davis Cup match."
Do you see the forthcoming Davis Cup match as an opportunity to take revenge? After all, you lost in 2001.
"I wouldn’t refer to it as taking revenge. The circumstances will be completely different than they were three years ago. We’re not only playing in Spain, we’re also playing outdoors, and on gravel. We’ll be very keen to win, but not necessarily because we’re playing against the Netherlands. Our objective is to win the Davis Cup, and in order to do so we’ll have to beat the Dutch."
Talking about Dutchmen, you played Martin Verkerk in the final of Roland Garros. Were you surprised that he made it to the final?
"I had already played him a year earlier in Kitzbühel. I knew he was agile on a gravel surface, and kept a close eye on him in Paris. I watched his matches and realised that he was playing extremely well."
What did it feel like to win your first Grand Slam title?
"I had the fortune of producing my best tennis during the tournament I wanted to win most. Although my dream came true at Roland Garros, I had to remind myself not to dwell on my victory."
Many players experience a slight dip after winning a Grand Slam final. However, you played in the final of the US Open and made it to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
"Lots of things happened immediately after Roland Garros. Luckily I was able to deal with it all. I managed to focus on my game, so my life hasn’t changed that much since winning in Paris. Although I realised my dream, I formulated some new objectives. My current aim is to win as many Grand Slam titles as I can, and become the best player in the world."
Dennis van Scheppingen (Netherlands) – Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spain, 2)
Van Scheppingen believes he’s in with an outside chance against Ferrero because of his flat, direct stokes. However, the disparity between the Spaniard (third in the world) and the Dutchman (a qualifier) is simply too great. Ferrero, who is making his first court appearance since suffering a muscle injury, will win in straight sets.
Head-to-head: none
INTERVIEW My dream came true at Roland Garros
Whenever people hear the name Juan Carlos Ferrero, they immediately conjure up images of last year’s Roland Garros final, during which the 24-year-old Spaniard beat Dutchman Martin Verkerk. The world number three is due to play Dennis van Scheppingen later today. And with the Davis Cup match between the Netherlands and Spain planned for April (in Spain), Van Scheppingen won’t be The Mosquito’s last Dutch opponent this season.
You suffered a hamstring injury, which required you to take some rest. Are you completely fit again?
"I feel absolutely fine. I’ve had enough time to recover since my semi-final match in Melbourne. I didn’t doubt that I would be able to play here in Rotterdam, and my two-week break allowed me to recover completely."
Was your injury the result of excessive strain?
"I think so. It was a very long season. First there was the hard court season in the US, followed by the US Open, the indoor season in Europe, the Masters Cup in Houston and the Davis Cup final in Australia, last December. I barely had time to recover before the new season started. I played a few tournaments in the run-up to the Australian Open, and I think that’s what broke me up in Melbourne."
Are you going to take more breaks this year?
"I hope so. It really depends on how well I perform. If I play well, I’ll be able to take a break more often. If not, I’ll have to play as much as I can to retain my current ranking."
The Davis Cup match between Spain and the Netherlands is scheduled for April. Perhaps that’s a good time to take a week off?
"Sure! No, I intend to take some time off before or after the Davis Cup match."
Do you see the forthcoming Davis Cup match as an opportunity to take revenge? After all, you lost in 2001.
"I wouldn’t refer to it as taking revenge. The circumstances will be completely different than they were three years ago. We’re not only playing in Spain, we’re also playing outdoors, and on gravel. We’ll be very keen to win, but not necessarily because we’re playing against the Netherlands. Our objective is to win the Davis Cup, and in order to do so we’ll have to beat the Dutch."
Talking about Dutchmen, you played Martin Verkerk in the final of Roland Garros. Were you surprised that he made it to the final?
"I had already played him a year earlier in Kitzbühel. I knew he was agile on a gravel surface, and kept a close eye on him in Paris. I watched his matches and realised that he was playing extremely well."
What did it feel like to win your first Grand Slam title?
"I had the fortune of producing my best tennis during the tournament I wanted to win most. Although my dream came true at Roland Garros, I had to remind myself not to dwell on my victory."
Many players experience a slight dip after winning a Grand Slam final. However, you played in the final of the US Open and made it to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
"Lots of things happened immediately after Roland Garros. Luckily I was able to deal with it all. I managed to focus on my game, so my life hasn’t changed that much since winning in Paris. Although I realised my dream, I formulated some new objectives. My current aim is to win as many Grand Slam titles as I can, and become the best player in the world."
