With his victory (6-3, 6-2) against Zombor Piros, the Hungarian number 340 in the world, Grekpour rose to 65th in the world rankings and closed his breakthrough season in style. Like his compatriot Botic van de Zandschulp (number 57), the Greek track broke into the top 100 this season, a magical frontier in tennis. This is the first time in seven years that two Dutch tennis players have featured in the world’s 100 best players.

Both the tennis players achieved it in their own way. The 26-year-old Van de Zandschulp made a huge jump in the world rankings with his surprise spot in the quarter-finals of the US Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments. The Greek track followed a gradual path into the more modest Challenger circuit with its eight tournament victories.

Challengers lie in the relative oblivion of professional tennis. Prize money is also the exact opposite of earning in Grand Slam tournaments. In comparison: with a loss against Alexander Zverev in the first round at Wimbledon, the Greek track earned more (56 thousand euros) than his eight tournament victories at the Challenger circuit (49 thousand euros).

collect points

Challenger tournaments are useful for collecting points for ATP rankings. Backed by eight final victories, the Greek track quickly climbed from 155 to 65 in the world rankings this year. As a player in the top 100, he has been admitted to four straight Grand Slam tournaments.

It is not only sporty interesting, but also attractive. Greek Rail has been assured at least 250 thousand euros in prize money next year. “Participating in Grand Slam tournaments means good income. This is good to keep in mind and gives you peace of mind for the rest of the year,” he said.

The Greek track has an impressive winning streak. The last tennis player to defeat him is Novak Djokovic. The Serbian number one in the world won in three sets against the Dutchman in the second round of the US Open. After that, the Greek track lost no more matches; He recorded 26 consecutive victories. One for the Netherlands and 25 for the Challengers in Davis Cup.

He did this mainly against the lower order players. Along with Italian Stefano Travaglia (91) and Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena (89), he defeated only two players from the top-100. The Greek track could switch to a level already higher ATP tour, but chose to remain a challenger: as such the champion of the First Division did not want to be promoted to the Premier Division.

visa problem

He was partially compelled to make that choice. He wanted to participate in the Indian Wells ATP tournament, but was not allowed to enter the US due to visa problems. Then continue on the path that belonged to the challengers, he thought. On his favorite surface, gravel. “Talon has proven to be able to perform at a very steady level this year,” says Ramon Sluyter.

The former coach of Kiki Bertens, who took the tennis star to fourth place in the world rankings between 2015 and 2019, has been added to the Greek track from this year. Closer guides his pupil with another coach, Dennis Schenk, who lives in Mallorca for parts of the year. ‘Talon is a complete tennis player, he has a lot of variety in his strokes. Only the discipline had to be tightened a little.

Schenk also saw potential in time. He had expected success two years ago. In his own words, the Greek track was ready for it. But not yet mentally and physically. “My body was not strong enough to perform at a consistent level for the entire season. I often struggled with minor injuries, due to which I could not play completely or at all.

Greek Track also hired a physical trainer, who travels with it for fifteen to twenty weeks a year. ‘I started living a few percent more as a top athlete. I don’t necessarily have to start doing more, but what I do, I do better. I focus more on my diet, rest first and am on track with a trainer every day, now Ramon has been roped in.

As Schenk spends parts of the year on Mallorca, the Greek track regularly trains without a coach until this season. “Now Ramon is there when Denise isn’t there. With a coach I go a little deeper into training and I push my limits more quickly.” Next season, as King of Challengers, the Greek track could prove he can do it at a higher level, too, if he participates in the ATP Tour and the Grand Slam tournaments as awaits.