You’ve probably seen the name. Maybe you’ve even tried to say it out loud and given up halfway through (it’s basically BO-tik van-duh-ZANT-skhulp, by the way). But for most casual tennis fans, Botic van de Zandschulp is the guy who pulled off the impossible.
Remember the 2024 US Open?
Carlos Alcaraz was the golden boy, fresh off a Roland Garros and Wimbledon double. Then, out of nowhere, this tall, stoic Dutchman with a "just clocked in for my 9-to-5" vibe walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium and dismantled him in straight sets. 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. It wasn't a fluke. It was a clinic.
But here’s the thing: just weeks before that match, Botic was ready to pack it all in. He was honestly, truly, considering retirement.
The Retirement Scare No One Expected
Tennis is a brutal sport. If you’re not in the Top 10, it’s a constant grind of airports, hotel rooms, and early-round exits. By mid-2024, van de Zandschulp was in a dark place. After a devastating 6-1, 6-1, 7-5 loss to Fabio Fognini at the French Open, he didn't hold back.
"I don't look forward to competitions at all anymore," he told Dutch media. He was questioning whether the life of a traveling pro was worth it. When you get up in the morning and dread the match ahead, that’s a massive red flag.
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He was dealing with a nagging foot injury. His ranking had slipped from a career-high of No. 22 down into the triple digits. He was playing Challengers just to get a win. Most people think these guys are all Ferraris and five-star meals, but Botic was basically a guy who loved the training but hated the circus.
He gave himself until the end of the year to see if things would "progress."
Turning the Tide in New York
New York has always been weirdly kind to him. Back in 2021, he became only the third qualifier in the Open Era to reach the US Open quarterfinals. There’s something about the fast hard courts in Flushing Meadows that suits his game perfectly.
The Alcaraz win was the catalyst he needed. It proved—mostly to himself—that his "level" hadn't disappeared. He used a Babolat Pure Aero (with a bit of lead tape, for the gear nerds out there) to redirect Alcaraz’s pace with surgical precision.
The Rafa Connection: A Bittersweet Honor
If beating Alcaraz was his biggest win, ending the career of Rafael Nadal was his most historic.
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In late 2024, during the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain faced the Netherlands. It was Nadal's final professional tournament. The atmosphere was electric, bordering on hostile for anyone not wearing red and yellow.
Botic had to be the "bad guy."
He beat Nadal 6-4, 6-4. It was only Rafa’s second-ever singles loss in the Davis Cup. Think about that. Van de Zandschulp kept his composure while an entire stadium chanted his opponent's name. It showed a mental toughness that people often overlook because he doesn't do the big fist pumps or scream at his box.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Game
People see his 6'3" frame and expect him to be a serve-bot. He’s not.
Actually, his serve is often cited as his biggest weakness. It’s not a weapon that bails him out of trouble. Instead, Botic wins matches with:
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- Insane court coverage: For a big guy, he moves like a much smaller player.
- The Backhand: It’s rock solid. He can go line or cross-court without changing his toss.
- Net Aggression: Against Alcaraz, he went to the net 35 times and won 28 of those points. That’s an 80% success rate.
He plays a sort of "controlled aggression." It's not flashy, but when it’s clicking, he makes elite players look remarkably ordinary.
Recent Form and the 2026 Outlook
As we sit here in early 2026, Botic has settled into a more stable rhythm. He’s no longer the guy contemplating retirement every time he drops a set. His ranking has hovered around the top 75-80 range, and he’s become a staple in the Dutch Davis Cup team alongside Tallon Griekspoor.
In 2025, he even managed to reach another ATP final, proving that the 2024 resurgence wasn't just a New York fever dream. He’s also found a better balance with his schedule. He’s skipping more of the small, back-to-back tournaments to protect his body and mind.
Is He a Top 20 Player Again?
Honestly? It’s tough. The tour is deeper than it’s ever been. You’ve got the Sinner-Alcaraz era at the top, and then a massive pack of hungry 19-year-olds coming up.
But Botic doesn’t need to be No. 22 again to be successful. He’s found his "why." He’s playing because he enjoys the competition again, not because he feels forced to chase points. That version of Botic van de Zandschulp is much more dangerous than the one who was ready to quit in Paris.
If you're looking to follow his progress or improve your own game based on his style, here is how you should watch him:
- Watch his return of serve: He stands deep and takes a massive cut at the ball, which is great for recreational players to study for timing.
- Look at his transition to the net: He doesn't just wait for a short ball; he creates opportunities to move forward.
- Check his schedule: He tends to peak during the North American hard-court swing. If you're betting or playing fantasy tennis, that's his "green zone."
The retirement talk is officially on the back burner. For now, the Dutchman is here to stay, and he’s still more than capable of ruining a top seed’s week.