The relative calm before the kick-start of the Olympic qualification period opens up space for more European athletes to earn important wins at the International Series tournament.
After a two-week break in the European Circuit, we’re back in the Netherlands for the FZ FORZA Dutch International 2023. The tournament will be taking place this week in Wateringen from tomorrow, Thursday 13 until Sunday 16 April.
With many of the top-ranked European players resting and preparing for the upcoming busy period — the qualification period for Paris 2024 is less than three weeks away from kicking off —, this International Series tournament will bring great opportunities to those competing.
Joran Kweekel, one of the home favourites, won a bronze medal last year and will be competing this year again as the third seed. Fellow Dutch player Aram Mahmoud and Julien Carraggi, who also won a bronze in the last edition, are also in the main draw.
There are other former medallists returning to Wateringen. Second-seeded Amalie Cecilie Kudsk/ Signe Schulz will only be getting started in the second round. Alex Green, who was the men’s doubles runner-up together with Jonty Russ last year, will be going for the podium with Brandon Zhi Hao Yap this time.
Another interesting partnership to watch out for is that of BEC Young Player of the Year nominee Kaloyana Nalbantova and European champion Gabriela Stoeva. Stoeva will also be competing in mixed doubles with Evgeni Panev from tomorrow in the qualification round.
The Centre of Excellence will also have some of its players travelling to the Netherlands. Czech Republic’s Kateřina Mikelová as well as Dane Irina Amalie Andersen — who was the 2017 runner-up — will be competing from tomorrow in the qualification rounds. Slovakia’s Marian Liptak and Sofia Slosiarikova, partnered with Natalia Slobodova, will also be stepping on court at the Dutch International.
How to follow the tournament
For more information, visit the
official FZ FORZA Dutch International 2023 website.
The schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, 13th April (09.00 - 22.00): Qualification Rounds
- Friday, 14th April (09.00 - 22.00): Main Draw, Rounds 1 & 2
- Saturday, 15th April: Quarterfinals (09.30 - 14.30) & Semifinals (15.30 - 20.00)
- Sunday, 16th April (12.00 - 17.00): Finals