Ever watched someone look absolutely miserable while doing something they're world-class at? That’s been the Botic van de Zandschulp experience for much of the last few years.
Honestly, it’s one of the weirdest vibes on the ATP Tour. You’ve got a guy who can systematically dismantle Carlos Alcaraz on a humid night in New York, yet he’ll turn around a month later and look like he’d rather be literally anywhere else. He doesn't scream. He doesn't smash rackets like a madman. He just... lingers.
But that’s Botic. He’s the ultimate "reluctant" superstar.
The Night Everything Changed (And Nothing Did)
Let’s talk about that 2024 US Open match. If you follow tennis, you know the one. He went into Arthur Ashe Stadium to face Carlos Alcaraz—the golden boy, the guy coming off a French Open and Wimbledon double. Nobody gave Botic a chance. He was ranked 74th. He’d been losing to guys you’ve never heard of in Challenger events.
Then he won. Not just won—he crushed him. 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.
It was a tactical masterclass. He used his 6'3" frame to serve with deceptive weight and moved the Spaniard around like he was playing a junior. But watch the tape of the final point. Most players would collapse, sob, or roar at the sky. Botic? He gave a polite little wave. He looked like he’d just finished a long shift at a bank and was relieved to finally head home.
That win was supposed to be the "re-launch." Instead, it reminded everyone of the enigma he’s become since his breakout 2021 run.
Why He Almost Quit in 2024
Here is the thing most people get wrong about professional athletes: they don't all love the "grind."
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In May 2024, after a brutal straight-sets loss to Fabio Fognini at the French Open, Botic went to the press and basically said he was done. He told Dutch reporters, "I don't look forward to competitions at all anymore." He talked about waking up in the morning and feeling zero excitement for matches.
Think about that. This is a guy who reached a career-high of World No. 22 in 2022. He has millions in the bank. But the traveling, the hotels, and the constant pressure to defend ranking points started to feel like a cage.
He was dealing with a nagging foot injury—bone bruises and torn ligaments that just wouldn't heal. When your body hurts and you’re losing to people you know you can beat, the mental toll is heavy. He gave himself until the end of 2024 to see if he could find the spark again.
The Career of "Almosts"
One of the reasons for his frustration is how close he's come to the big trophies. Botic has zero ATP singles titles.
That sounds crazy for a guy with his talent, right? He’s been in three finals. The most painful one was definitely Munich in 2023. He was playing Holger Rune. Botic was up 5-2 in the third set. He had four match points. Four. He lost them all and eventually lost the match.
When you have those kinds of "heartbreak" losses, they tend to stick in your head. They become ghosts that follow you to the next tournament.
Technical Breakdown: Why He’s So Dangerous
Botic doesn't play like a modern "baseline bot." His game is actually pretty old-school and crafty, which is why the top guys hate playing him.
- The Serve: It’s not the fastest, but he hits his spots. He has a very high first-serve percentage (usually around 65-70%) which keeps him out of trouble.
- The Backhand: This is his bread and butter. He can take it early and change direction without any visible effort.
- The "Receipt" Strategy: Fun fact—Botic almost always chooses to receive if he wins the coin toss. He likes to break early and put the pressure on the other guy's shoulders immediately.
He’s currently coached by Raemon Sluiter, and they’ve been working on making his game more aggressive. But his biggest weapon is his "poker face." When Botic is "on," he is an ice-cold wall. You can’t tell if he’s winning or losing, and that drives opponents nuts.
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The 2025/2026 Resurgence: Where is He Now?
As we move through 2026, the narrative has shifted slightly. He didn't retire. The Alcaraz win at the US Open and his heroics in the Davis Cup—where he beat Rafael Nadal in Rafa’s final professional match—gave him a second wind.
Currently, he's hovering around the World No. 75 mark. He’s no longer the "next big thing," but he’s settled into a role as the Tour's most dangerous "unseeded" player.
He’s 30 years old now. In tennis years, that’s "mature," but not old. Look at guys like Djokovic or even Botic's compatriot Tallon Griekspoor; players are peaking later. The goal for him now isn't necessarily to hit No. 1. It’s about finding that balance he talked about—playing enough to stay relevant but taking enough breaks to keep his mind from hitting a wall.
What You Should Watch For
If you’re betting on Botic or just following his matches, keep an eye on his body language in the first three games.
If he looks bored, he’s probably going to win. If he looks agitated or starts talking to his box a lot, he’s struggling with the "mental fatigue" he’s been open about.
He’s scheduled for a heavy clay court season this year, which is interesting because while he’s great on hard courts, his movement on clay is actually quite underrated. He made the third round of Roland Garros back in 2022, and he’s looking to replicate that kind of deep run to get back into the Top 50.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans:
- Don't ignore the doubles: Botic is a sneaky good doubles player (he has two titles there). Watching him play doubles often shows a more relaxed, smiling version of him.
- Check the scheduling: He’s been vocal about bad scheduling at majors (like at Wimbledon 2025). If he’s forced to play back-to-back days, his results usually dip due to that mental drain.
- The Munich Factor: If he plays the Bavarian International again, watch closely. That tournament is his "white whale." Winning there would likely exercise a lot of his career demons.
Botic van de Zandschulp might never be the face of a Nike campaign. He might never win a Grand Slam. But he is a reminder that even at the highest levels of sport, the person behind the racket is human. He gets tired. He gets bored. He considers quitting. And yet, he keeps showing up—and occasionally, he reminds the world that on his day, he can beat anyone on the planet.
Next Step: Track his upcoming matches on the ATP live rankings to see if he can break back into the seeded positions before the next Grand Slam. If he climbs into the top 32, his draw becomes much easier, and we might see another deep run like that 2021 US Open quarterfinal.