Dutch players clash publicly after Davis Cup loss to India

India stunned 2024 Davis Cup finalists.

The Davis Cup 2026 qualifiers delivered one of the most stunning upsets in recent tennis history when the Netherlands, ranked sixth in the world, fell 3-2 to India in Bengaluru. The tie, played over the weekend of February 7-8, exposed vulnerabilities in the Dutch squad and ignited a firestorm of controversy that has since spilled into public view.

What should have been a straightforward victory for the Europeans turned into a humiliating defeat, largely due to the absence of their top stars and the heroics of an underdog Indian team led by an unexpected hero in Dhakshineswar Suresh.

Heading into the matchup, the Netherlands were heavy favourites despite fielding a depleted lineup. Top singles stars like Tallon Griekspoor (World No. 29) and Botic van de Zandschulp, chose to prioritize the ATP-500 Rotterdam event.

The Dutch hence had to rely on Jesper de Jong (No. 160) and Guy den Ouden as their singles anchors, supported by doubles specialists David Pel and Sander Arends. The decision to send a second-string team was rooted in ongoing frustrations with the Royal Dutch Tennis Association (KNLTB), but it backfired big time against a resilient Indian side.

The tie began promisingly for the Netherlands, with den Ouden securing a hard-fought three-set win over India’s Sumit Nagal (6-4, 4-6, 6-3) in the opening rubber. However, de Jong struggled in his debut singles match, falling in straight sets to Suresh, ranked No. 459 at the time.

Also Read: Takeaways from India’s win against Netherlands in Davis Cup 2026 Qualifiers Round 1

In doubles, Suresh teamed up with Yuki Bhambri to edge out Pel and Arends in a thrilling three-setter (7-6(0), 3-6, 7-6(1)), giving India a 2-1 lead.

De Jong bounced back in the reverse singles, overcoming a set deficit to defeat the injured Nagal (3-6, 6-4, 6-2), forcing a decisive fifth rubber. But Suresh sealed the upset, dispatching den Ouden 6-4, 7-6(4) in a match that lasted over two hours.

Fued emerges between Dutch ATP stars

The verbal fireworks began shortly after the tie, coinciding with the Rotterdam Open, where both players were competing. De Jong, still smarting from the loss, lashed out at Griekspoor for his pre-tie criticisms of the Dutch federation and national team.

Speaking to the press after his first-round exit in Rotterdam, de Jong called Griekspoor’s comments “disrespectful,” accusing him of disparaging the country and creating unrest in the locker room.

“You shouldn’t disparage your country. I don’t talk to Tallon. If someone treats his teammates like that, I don’t need to give him a hug”, said De Jong.

Griekspoor, fresh off straight sets win over Quentin Halys in second round of Rotterdam, fired back without hesitation. He dismissed De Jong’s accusations as hypocritical, pointing to his compatriot’s poor performance against Suresh.

“He says I’m embarrassing the country, which I think is a strong word for someone who loses to the world’s number 500…I’m not going to waste time and energy on people who are of no use to me, and that includes him.” He urged de Jong to “look in the mirror” before criticizing others.

Griekspoor’s grievances with the federation date back to the 2024 Málaga Davis Cup finals, where the Dutch team reached the championship match but fell short.

He has repeatedly slammed the KNLTB’s “amateurish” management, citing subpar facilities like “scandalous” courts and flawed selection policies that prioritize doubles specialists over top singles players.

This feud has left Dutch tennis in disarray, raising questions about team unity and future selections. Reports suggest Griekspoor could face exclusion from the Colombia playoff if tensions persist.

Back in Rotterdam, Griekspoor fell to second seed Felix Auger Aliassime in their quarter-final clash, while Botic van de Zandschulp too suffered a quarter-final loss at the hands of top seed Alex de Minaur.

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