A Journey Back to Roland Garros: Reflections and Preparations

Returning to Roland Garros always carries a unique significance for me. It’s the Grand Slam where I’ve achieved my best results, reaching the semifinals twice. Plus, it's close to home, which means plenty of support makes its way to Paris.

My fondest memories of Roland Garros aren't just limited to those semifinal appearances; they extend to the unforgettable matches, both won and lost. One particularly memorable moment was last year's quarterfinal against Rojer/Arevalo, featuring an amazing point that garnered millions of views on social media.

Preparing for a high-stakes event like Roland Garros involves ensuring plenty of rest beforehand. With the pressure mounting over the exhausting two weeks, maintaining energy levels is crucial. For me, minimizing time spent at the club and maximizing practice sessions with focused feeding from the box proves effective.

In the lead-up to the first round, the preparation intensifies with two sessions a day. The initial session, with the coach and partner, focuses on rhythm-building and court familiarity. The latter session involves practice sets against other teams, allowing us to test strategies and get a feel for match situations.

Playing on clay presents its challenges, especially if the courts aren't well-maintained. Unpredictable bounces and slippery surfaces can make it particularly tricky compared to hard courts, where bounce consistency is usually reliable.

Physically, clay court tennis demands more than its hard court or grass counterparts. Extended rallies require superior endurance, while maintaining sound technique becomes paramount amidst the unpredictable bounces.

Adapting to clay involves making subtle adjustments, like occasionally stepping back on returns to assess opponents' plays. This strategic flexibility differs from hard courts and grass, where the emphasis is more on reacting to serve speed.

The pressure of Grand Slam tournaments is unparalleled, with the potential for life-changing outcomes. To manage this, I focus on taking it one match at a time, ensuring nothing becomes overwhelming, and I retain control over my performance.

Undoubtedly, a defining moment in my career was reaching the semifinals for the first time in 2022. It instilled in me the belief that I could one day lift a Grand Slam trophy, serving as a significant confidence boost.

This year's Roland Garros brings new opportunities with a new partner, Sander Arends. While there are no set expectations, I'm incredibly excited to team up with a friend and believe we have the potential to excel. Our preparation involves playing as many tournaments as possible to ensure we're in peak form when the time comes.