Dutch tennis player Jesper de Jong has made headlines by securing his place in the next round of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia after defeating Davidovich Fokina, the world number 26. The match lasted an hour and eight minutes, showcasing de Jong’s impressive performance as he prepares to face the top-seeded player, Jannik Sinner, later today at 3:00 PM.
Born on May 31, 2000, in Haarlem, Netherlands, de Jong made his ATP main circuit debut in 2022. He has already achieved notable milestones, including reaching the final of the 2024 Davis Cup without playing. Standing at 180 cm, de Jong is recognized for his skillful two-handed backhand. His recent journey in professional tennis has seen him qualify for the main draw of his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open, where he won his opening match against Pedro Cachin before falling to Sinner in the second round in a straight sets match characterized by Sinner’s dominance.
In their previous encounter at the Australian Open, de Jong lost but remained positive, stating that he felt grateful for the opportunity to compete at high levels against elite players. He remarked, “Today I got a kick in the butt, but I’m very grateful to be able to compete on the biggest stage, against one of the best players around.”
With a current ranking of 93, his career-best position, de Jong aims to collect valuable points in Rome to further improve his standings. Beyond his tennis career, de Jong harbors a passion for food, aspiring to open an Italian restaurant post-retirement. He enjoys steak and has a fondness for macarons, often humorously referring to his meal vouchers from Roland Garros for the treats he adores.
De Jong’s continual ascent in the tennis world and his charisma off the court highlight his potential for success, bringing hope for a bright future both in tournaments and his culinary dreams.