Coach Peter Lucassen says it’s good that Botic van de Zandschulp has the experience of playing Rafael Nadal as the coach is hoping his pupil stuns the Spaniard at Wimbledon. In the Wimbledon last-16, van de Zandschulp will be looking for the biggest win of his career.
Van de Zandschulp, 26, and 36-year-old Nadal will be going head-to-head for the second time in their respective careers when they meet at Wimbledon. Just over a month ago at the French Open, Nadal saw off van de Zandschulp 6-3 6-2 6-4.
Nadal is aiming to win his third Grand Slam of the season and beat van de Zandschulp in back-to-back Grand Slams. “It’s good to see Nadal has had some difficult matches here in London than in Paris, and it’s good that Botic has already played against him, he has that experience in his backpack,” Lucassen told Dutch newspaper AD Sport.
Nadal not taking van de Zandschulp for granted
Van de Zandschulp is currently enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 25 in the world. Two months ago, van de Zandschulp made his maiden ATP final in Munich, where he unfortunately sustained an injury and retired to Holger Rune.
Nadal is well-aware of van de Zandschulp’s recent results and he has underlined that he won’t be taking the Dutch for granted. “He’s a player that has been improving unbelievably the last year. [It] was a good challenge in the French and I think he will be more, [difficult here],” Nadal said.
“He’s a complete player with a lot of great things, and I need to keep going the way that I played today: playing aggressive and playing with the right energy. Let’s see. He’s a tough opponent, but we are in fourth round.
That’s the way that it should be.” Van de Zandschulp is having a career-best year but Nadal is still the big favorite to win their match.
