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Dutch tennis player Tallon Griekspoor described his season as "amazing" after making tennis history this past Sunday. Griekspoor, 25, beat Spain's Feliciano Lopez 6-4 6-4 in the Tenerife final to win a record seventh Challenger title this year.
Never before a tennis player won seven Challenger titles in one season. It was Grieeksport's fourth Challenger title in as many weeks. "It's been an amazing season, winning a record seventh title, and an amazing win streak," said Griekspoor after the final.
"I'm just really happy with this season and looking forward to next year playing on the ATP Tour."
Griekspoort focused on continuing his rise
Following his victory in Tenerife, Griekspoor rose to a career-high ranking of No.
72 in the world. "It’s nice to get the record but all I am trying to do is to improve my game and move up the rankings," Griekspoor told Tennis TourTalk. "I hope it stays for a while. My goal for this year was to end the year in the Top 100.
I did well on that. Top 50 is probably the next goal and let’s see how far I can get. I really don’t want to put a number on it. Let’s see what’s possible and I am confident in myself. I have had a good time on the Challenger Tour but I think it’s time for the next step, playing ATP Tour events.
I am really looking forward to that and can’t wait to start." One of the last losses Griekspoor suffered came at the US Open, when he lost to world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Djokovic claimed a 6-2 6-3 6-2 win over Griekspoor.
"In the end, it was a night session on Ashe and it was unbelievable. But it wasn't too much fun. He was literally kicking my ass. I couldn't play tennis at all. He showed me why he's one of the best ever. You feel like you can't get a point.
You think that if you go forehand down the line it might work, but the next thing you know you're running to your backhand," Griekspoor explained.