Home

Tennis

Surprise US Open Quarterfinalist Botic Van de Zandschulp Forced to Buy a Pair of Shoes Despite Dream Run

Published 09/07/2021, 12:56 PM EDT

Follow Us

USA Today via Reuters

Botic Van de Zandschulp is enjoying a dream run in the ongoing US Open. After making it through the qualifying rounds, the Dutchman pulled off some of the most incredible upsets en route to the quarterfinals of the hard court Grand Slam.

Although the 25-year-old has made an impression on-court, he is also making waves off it. Earlier today, Mark Mason, owner of Mason Tennis Store, recalled a conversation he shared with the World No. 117.

Surprise US Open quarterfinalist Botic Van de Zandschulp needed to buy shoes before today’s match

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Since he doesn’t have a shoe sponsor, the 25-year-old needed to buy his own pair of shoes to compete in the quarter-finals. He headed to Mason Tennis Store, one of the most prominent stores in the city, to pick up a pair of ASICS shoes.

When he arrived, Mason recalled Van de Zandschulp mentioning he would pick up more pairs if he won more matches. He said“He bought one pair but said he would be back for more if he won. He asked me how many pairs did I have of the ASICS Speed FF Size 10. I said I have 24 pairs left.”

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Mason further admitted the Dutchman identified himself as the player when he failed to do so. “I had no idea who he was,” said Mason. “I said, ‘Do you represent a player?’ He said, ‘I am the player.'”

US Open 2021: Complete Breakdown of the Prize Money From Winner To Last-Place

Van de Zandschulp plays Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals of the US Open

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In his maiden appearance in the main draw of the US Open, the Dutchman shocked the world on his way to the quarterfinals. He stunned eighth seed Casper Ruud in the second round, taking a four-sets victory to advance to the third round.

USA Today via Reuters

He then stunned Diego Schwartzman in four sets as well, to clinch a memorable fourth round victory. With his run of results, Van de Zandschulp booked a quarterfinal showdown against second seed Daniil Medvedev today.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Can the giant-killing Dutchman add another notch on his belt? Or will Medvedev end one of the most impressive runs in this year’s US Open?

WATCH STORY: Top Seeds Naomi Osaka, John Isner, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev and Others Who Faced Huge Upsets at US Open

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Sanket Nair

878Articles

One take at a time

Sanket Nair is an F1 Author at EssentiallySports. A Sports Management graduate, he is a huge fan of Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo and hopes to see Red Bull break Mercedes' dominance and win the World Championship soon. Sanket has been hooked to the sport ever since he watched the battle for the 2010 World Championship go down to the wire at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Show More>