Things are simmering in Dutch tennis: Tallon Griekspoor and Jesper de Jong are currently embroiled in a public dispute through the media, unfolding alongside the ATP 500 tournament in Rotterdam.
von tennisnet.com
last edited: February 13, 2026, 11:12 a.m
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While enjoying a strong run to the quarter-finals of his home tournament in Rotterdam—having dispatched Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Quentin Halys without dropping a set—Tallon Griekspoor is facing a different kind of battle: a very public feud with fellow Dutch player Jesper de Jong.
The conflict stems from Griekspoor’s pointed criticism of the Dutch Tennis Association in an interview with NOS.nl, delivered prior to the Davis Cup competition in India. Griekspoor lambasted the association for a perceived lack of planning and poor communication, even suggesting his return to the Davis Cup team was contingent on the removal of certain personnel. He subsequently sat out the international match in Bengaluru.
De Jong Questions the Timing
De Jong, who captained the Netherlands to a first-round victory in India, took issue with the timing of Griekspoor’s remarks. “If we sit at the opening ceremony and an article like that is shoved under our noses, it’s absolutely not nice,” de Jong stated in Rotterdam. Griekspoor’s comments, he felt, painted the Netherlands as a “weak team” particularly given the absence of Botic van de Zandschulp in India.
“Mistakes are made everywhere, but I think you shouldn’t badmouth your country,” de Jong added, acknowledging the association could improve but pointing to the Netherlands’ second-place finish in the 2024 Davis Cup as evidence of success. He confirmed he had not contacted Griekspoor following the criticism, stating plainly, “I don’t talk to Tallon anyway.”
Griekspoor Fires Back
Griekspoor responded to the media after his win against Halys, delivering a sharp retort: “He says I’m bad-mouthing the country. I think that’s pretty cocky for someone who loses to the number 500 in the world.” De Jong had fallen to Dhakshineswar Suresh, currently ranked 459th, with scores of 4:6 and 5:7 in Bengaluru.
A direct conversation between the two players appears unlikely. “If you don’t dare look me in the eyes and greet me, then you’ve come to the wrong place. I won’t waste time and energy on people who don’t benefit me, including him,” Griekspoor declared. According to reports from NOS, discussions with the Dutch Tennis Association are expected to take place soon.
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