Botic van de Zandschulp has revealed he is losing his passion for tennis and is considering retiring from the sport following his exit from the French Open on Monday.

The 29-year-old was knocked out of the tournament in straight sets by Fabio Fognini, who eased his way to a 6-1, 6-1, 7-5, victory. It is the second Grand Slam in a row where he has fallen at the first hurdle with the 2022 Wimbledon championships being the last major event where he won back-to-back matches.   

“I don’t look forward to competitions at all anymore,” Zandschulp told Dutch media.
“I have been asking myself more and more lately whether I want to continue.
“You have to do work that you enjoy. Everyone has a bad day every now and then. But if there are too many, then you have to ask yourself whether you want to continue.” 

Zandschulp has been the top-ranked player in his country with his most notable achievement being a run to the quarter-finals of the 2021 US Open. The former world No.22 is a two-time runner-up at the Munich Open but is yet to win an ATP Tour title. He has registered a total of six wins over top 10 players, including Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev. 

However, recent difficulties on the Tour have left the Dutchman questioning if he wants to continue playing.  

“I like the training. Those are great days. But when I get up in the morning, I no longer look forward to the matches at all.” He commented.

Zandschulp’s remarks could be a reaction to his frustrating loss to Fognini. However, he confirmed that he has been considering retiring for a long time. 

“It was the worst match I have played in my life,” he said. 
“Of course, it is now fresh after the match. That plays a role in my mind, but the thoughts of quitting have been there for a long time. It is not an easy life as a tennis player. You really live your life, play thirty weeks a year and travel from pillar to post.
“If you don’t play, someone else will pass you by (in the rankings). That’s why I now play extra tournaments instead of charging myself at home.”

Zandschulp is currently ranked 102nd in the world and is scheduled to play in the French Open doubles event on Tuesday.

Jannik Sinner has begun his quest for a second straight Grand Slam title with a first round victory at the French Open on Monday.

The world No.2 battled his way to a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, win over Chris Eubanks in what was their second Tour-level meeting. Sinner’s latest triumph extends his almost perfect start to the season with him winning 29 out of 31 matches contested. Against Eubanks, who has been ranked as high as 29th in the world, he hit 33 winners against 27 unforced errors and saved nine out of 10 break points faced.  

“I’m just happy to be back on court,” said Sinner. 
“This is a very special tournament for me. Here was the first time where I reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam. I have some great memories.
“I’m just trying to build (on his form) every day and I’m happy with this performance.” 

Playing in his first match since pulling out of the Madrid Open due to a hip injury, the second seed began his Paris campaign with a testing opening set against Wimbledon quarter-finalist Eubanks. A player who has struggled in recent months with only four Tour-level wins to his name so far this season. Sinner raced out to a 4-1 lead before getting broken for the first time. Despite the blip, he sealed the opener in just under 40 minutes.

Continuing to tighten his grip on proceedings, it wasn’t long before his rival voiced his frustration after being heard saying to his coach early in the second frame that ‘he has no rhythm on his serve.’ Meanwhile, Sinner stuck to his game plan and showed no signs of any discomfort in his hip. Although there were occasional moments where the Italian hit some below-par shots before swiftly picking himself up again. Something that was best illustrated in the final game of the second set where he saved off a trio of break points. 

The biggest scare for Sinner was his right leg which he was seen holding and moving tentatively towards the closing stages. Nevertheless, he managed to shake off the issue to claim his 12th main draw win in Paris after more than two hours of play. 

“The hip is good, I’m very happy.” He replied when asked about his current fitness. “My team and I were working very hard to be back on court as soon as possible. Without my team, this wouldn’t be possible.
“For sure the general shape is not one hundred percent yet. 
“I’m happy about what I have achieved (so far in his career) but our (Sinner’s team) goal is to improve every day.”

Awaiting him in the second round will be home favourite Richard Gasquet, who produced an impressive straight-sets win over Borna Coric in front of a highly animated home crowd. It will be their third meeting on the Tour which is likely to take place on the premier Philippe Chatrier court later this week.

“To play against Sinner is exceptional,” said Gasquet. 
“So I’ll try and make the most of it and enjoy this great opportunity that I’m given because I’m on the central court. I’ll be on the central court, and this player is amazing.”

Sinner, who turns 23 in August, is on the verge of becoming the first Italian man to claim the ATP No.1 ranking. He currently leads the live standings with rival Novak Djokovic required to reach at least the semi-final stage in Paris to have a chance of maintaining his position. Should he reach the final, the top position will be his regardless of what happens. 

Officials at the French Open opted not to default a player from his match after he hit a ball out of frustration that struck a fan on the first day of the tournament. 

Terence Atmane, who received a wild card into this year’s draw, was involved in a tough five-set battle against Sebastian Ofner on Sunday evening. During the fourth set, Atmane found himself down 1-4, 30-30, when the incident unfolded. After hitting a shot that landed out, the Frenchman blasted a ball which unintentionally hit somebody in the crowd.

As a result of the incident, the match was halted for 15 minutes while the umpire and tournament referee addressed the situation, which included speaking to the person who got hit. Following the lengthy discussion, it was decided that Atmane would be issued with a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct but would not be disqualified. Prompting surprise from Ofner who went on to win the match 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2, 7-5.

“For me, it was a bit surprising, because if you do something like that on a small court, you have to be punished, you know?” The Associated Press quoted Ofner as saying after the match. “Because it’s not like you hit the ball normally. It was full power. The ball was so fast. Straight in the crowd. There were people disqualified for less.”

In the past players have been disqualified from a match for similar actions, including Novak Djokovic who was defaulted from his fourth round match at the 2020 US Open after hitting a lines judge with a ball. More recently, at last year’s French Open, doubles player Miyu Kato and her partner were defaulted after she accidentally but a ball girl. 

Ofner, who is currently ranked 45th in the world, says he was told that Atmane avoided a big punishment because the person the crowd was fine and ‘saw the ball coming.’ 

“The referee said, ‘Oh, yeah, I was talking with the lady. The lady said at the beginning it was hurting but now it’s fine, and everything was OK. She saw the ball coming. So it’s not enough for disqualification.’ I think if he would see how it was, maybe he would decide different,” he said. “A little bit more unlucky and it’s going directly in the face. And then something can happen (like) a broken nose or whatever.”

The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has so far made no public comment on the matter.