Hitting with Holger: 'The whole training was a highlight'

For Thijs Boogaard, the 50th ABN AMRO Open is already going down in the history books as an unforgettable event. The 14-year-old tennis talent from Geldermalsen was at school yesterday morning when he was told by his coach Bjorn Graven that he had to travel to Rotterdam Ahoy immediately. With his rackets, that is. He was selected to be a 'hitting partner' on one of the training courts for Holger Rune, the 19-year-old Dane who was voted ATP's 'Newcomer of the year' in 2022.

It was a great experience on Court 2 for Boogaard, who skillfully returned the world number 9's powerful balls. Applauses and cheers roared from the thirty or so spectators, after he surprised the Dane with a passing shot at the net. Was that nice to hear ? 'Of course yes, that was great. But the whole training was a highlight’, he says modestly after the hour of practising with Rune. 'It was pretty tough, yes, but that’s fine.’

If the name Thijs Boogaard means nothing to you, it’s worth knowing that he became the Under 14 European champion last year. He also won the renowned French tournament Les Petits As, something he already has in common with tournament director Richard Krajicek. The secondary school student, who has been assisted off the court for two years by the Dutch IMG manager Olivier van Lindonk, has already trained with Rune twice before, but that was at the tennis academy of his French coach Patrick Mouratoglou in the South of France. 'This was the first time that an audience was present at our training.'

The young Dutch practised under the large banner featuring his role model, Roger Federer who made his debut in Rotterdam at age 17 by invitation for the qualifiers. He eventually reached the main draw on the court right next to where Boogaard was playing. The Swiss later returned on several occasions and became an ABN AMRO Open champion for the first time in 2005, but 'has unfortunately retired’, says Boogaard, still a bit sad.

In addition to serving as a battleground for the top tennis players, the event in Ahoy also wants to be a breeding ground for talent. Especially for talents made in The Netherlands. Boogaard, for instance, may have come as hitting partner today in Ahoy but will return on Saturday with his parents and sister as spectators to be inspired by art in the making. It seems like things are going fast for the talented teenager, but his closely-knit team works to give him guidance and shelter against too much publicity. 'It's a conscious choice. Thijs is only 14, we are still building up’, explains coach Bjorn Graven. 'We do not yet see the added value of all kinds of interviews in the media. That will come as he gets older.’

Regardless of how he fares as a gifted tennis player, Thijs Boogaard will often be found in Rotterdam after this week anyway. Like his coach, he has a season ticket for Feyenoord. Should we mention that it's his favourite club? Yes please. 'That has to do with my father, who lived and studied in Rotterdam’ explains the young man from Geldermalsen. When asked about the club's title chances this year: 'Are you nervous about how Feyenoord will continue this season? Not at all. We're definitely going to make it this season!'