Melle van Gemerden was born on May 9, 1979, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He began playing tennis at an early age and showed promise in national tournaments. By 1997, he had become the Dutch Junior Champion in both the indoor and outdoor categories, marking the start of his professional aspirations.[2]His early success earned him a place in Jong Oranje, a development program for top junior athletes in the Netherlands.
 | |
| Country (sports) |  Netherlands |
|---|---|
| Residence | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Born | 9 May 1979 Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Turned pro | 2000 [1] |
| Retired | 2014 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Prize money | $214,727 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 4–9 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 100 (12 June 2006) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | 1R (2005) |
| French Open | 1R (2006) |
| Wimbledon | 2R (2006) |
| US Open | Q1 (2008) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 0–4 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 178 (4 April 2005) |
| Last updated on: 5 June 2021. | |
Career
In 1998, van Gemerden transitioned to professional tennis. He made his ATP Tour debut in 2002 and reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 100 in June 2006. He reached the quarterfinals of the 2005 ATP Amersfoort and also won the ATP Challenger tournament in Scheveningen in 2006. He reached the second round at Wimbledon in 2006, where a back issue[3], which had become unplayable after his first-round win, significantly impacted his performance and led to two back surgeries, ultimately ending his career. He represented the Netherlands in the Davis Cup from 2004 to 2006, competing in the World Group quarterfinals. [4]
Suspension and Comeback
In late 2004, van Gemerden faced a setback when he tested positive for cannabis during the Mauritius Challenger. Though it was determined that the substance was not taken to enhance performance, van Gemerden had to forfeit ranking points and prize money, and served a short suspension.[5] He returned to the circuit in 2005, making a comeback with a Challenger title and participating in all Grand Slam events.
Coaching Career
After retiring from competitive tennis, van Gemerden transitioned into coaching. Starting as an sparringpartner, he worked with a number of top players, including Ana Ivanović[6], Fernando Verdasco, and Sorana Cîrstea. From 2013 to 2015, he coached Dutch tennis player Thiemo de Bakker[7] and continued to work with up-and-coming Dutch talent through the Dutch tennis federation (KNLTB) from 2019 to 2020.[8]
Van Gemerden has since established himself as a sought-after coach, focusing on both technique and mental preparation for his players.
Art Career
Alongside his tennis career, Melle van Gemerden developed a passion for art. Drawing inspiration from artists like David Hockney and the De Stijl movement, van Gemerden began creating digital artwork that often incorporates tennis themes. His artwork reflects a blend of sport and abstract expressionism, with bright, vibrant colors and dynamic compositions. His "Fractured" series, for example, uses tennis courts as metaphors for the obstacles and challenges of life.
His art has been exhibited in several galleries and sold to private collectors.[9]
Personal Life
Melle van Gemerden currently resides in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He continues to work as both a coach and an artist. His personal interests and experiences, particularly his love for both tennis and art, have deeply influenced his post-tennis career.
Notable Matches and Trivia
Fun fact: During a Futures tournament in Hungary in 2004, Melle van Gemerden defeated a 16-year-old Novak Djokovic early in Djokovic's career. The match ended with van Gemerden winning 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, on clay, a notable victory before Djokovic went on to become widely regarded as the greatest tennis player of all time.[10]
Notable Achievements
- Dutch Junior Tennis Champion (Indoor & Outdoor), 1997 - Career-high ATP singles ranking: World No. 100 (June 2006)[11] - Quarterfinalist at the 2005 ATP Amersfoort, Dutch Open[12] - ATP Challenger Tournament Winner in Scheveningen, 2006[13] - Competed in all four Grand Slam tournaments (2005–2006)[14] - Davis Cup Team Member (2004–2006)[15]
ATP Challenger and ITF Futures Finals
editSingles: 9 (4–5)
edit
|
|
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Jun 2000 | Germany F6, Villingen | Futures | Clay |  Nikolay Davydenko
|
6–1, 7–6(7–5) |
| Win | 2–0 | Jun 2000 | Germany F7, Trier | Futures | Clay | Nikolay Davydenko
|
4–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
| Loss | 2–1 | May 2004 | Germany F5, Esslingen | Futures | Clay |  Tobias Summerer
|
5–7, 6–7(5–7) |
| Loss | 2–2 | May 2004 | Hungary F2, Hódmezővásárhely | Futures | Clay |  Kornél Bardóczky
|
5–7, 3–6 |
| Win | 3–2 | Jul 2004 | Netherlands F2, Heerhugowaard | Futures | Clay | Fred Hemmes Jr.
|
6–3, 6-3 |
| Loss | 3–3 | Sep 2004 | Tehran, Iran | Challenger | Clay |  Mariano Puerta
|
3–6, 4–6 |
| Win | 4–3 | Jul 2005 | Scheveningen, Netherlands | Challenger | Clay |  Kristof Vliegen
|
6–4, 6-3 |
| Loss | 4–4 | Aug 2005 | Manerbio, Italy | Challenger | Clay |  Oliver Marach
|
3–6, 2–6 |
| Loss | 4–5 | Jun 2008 | Netherlands F2, Alkmaar | Futures | Clay | Thiemo de Bakker
|
6–4, 1–6, 2–6 |
Doubles: 17 (6–11)
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|
| Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0–1 | Oct 1998 | France F10, Saint-Dizier | Futures | Hard | Gordon Bergraaf
|
 Pavel Kudrnáč Radim Žitko
|
4–6, 4–6 |
| Win | 1–1 | May 1999 | Germany F4, Villingen | Futures | Clay | Martijn Belgraver
|
Patrick Sommer Rene Nicklisch
|
7–5, 6–2 |
| Loss | 1–2 | May 2000 | Germany F2, Esslingen | Futures | Clay |  Johan Settergren
|
 Ali Hamadeh Jicham Zaatini
|
4–6, 1–6 |
| Loss | 1–3 | Jun 2000 | Germany F6, Villingen | Futures | Clay | Johan Settergren
|
Kris Goossens  Ionuț Moldovan
|
6–7(6–8), 3–6 |
| Loss | 1–4 | Oct 2000 | France F23, La Roche-sur-Yon | Futures | Hard | Johan Settergren
|
 Martin Hromec Wim Neefs
|
3–6, 6–1, 6–7(8–10) |
| Win | 2–4 | Jun 2001 | Germany F4, Villingen | Futures | Clay | Johan Settergren
|
Frank Moser Bernard Parun
|
6–4, 6–4 |
| Loss | 2–5 | Mar 2002 | New Zealand F1, Blenheim | Futures | Hard | Fredrik Lovén
|
 Ashley Ford David Mcnamara
|
1–6, 7–5, 4–6 |
| Loss | 2–6 | Sep 2002 | Netherlands F2, Alphen aan den Rijn | Futures | Clay | Melvyn op der Heijde
|
 O. Hernandez-Perez Gustavo Marcaccio
|
2–6, 3–6 |
| Win | 3–6 | Oct 2003 | Greece F3, Athens | Futures | Clay | Christian Grunes
|
 Theodoros Angelinos Konstantinos Economidis
|
4–6, 6–3, 7–6(7–1) |
| Loss | 3–7 | May 2004 | Hungary F2, Hódmezővásárhely | Futures | Clay | Zsolt Tatár
|
Kornél Bardóczky Gabriel Moraru
|
5–7, 7–6(7–3), 3–6 |
| Win | 4–7 | Jul 2004 | Hilversum, Netherlands | Challenger | Clay | Fred Hemmes Jr.
|
Attila Sávolt Gabriel Trifu
|
7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–3) |
| Win | 5–7 | Aug 2004 | Samarkand, Uzbekistan | Challenger | Clay |  Jean-François Bachelot
|
Sebastian Fitz Florin Mergea
|
6–2, 3–6, 6–1 |
| Loss | 5–8 | Aug 2004 | Bukhara, Uzbekistan | Challenger | Hard | Paul Logtens
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Michal Mertiňák Pavel Šnobel
|
4–6, 2–6 |
| Loss | 5–9 | Oct 2004 | Bolton, United Kingdom | Challenger | Hard | Peter Wessels
|
 Jeff Coetzee  Jim Thomas
|
5–7, 3–6 |
| Win | 6–9 | Aug 2005 | Manerbio, Italy | Challenger | Clay | Peter Wessels
|
Oliver Marach Daniel Köllerer
|
6–3, 6–4 |
| Loss | 6–10 | Jun 2008 | Alessandria, Italy | Challenger | Clay | Matwé Middelkoop
|
 Flavio Cipolla Simone Vagnozzi
|
6–3, 1–6, [4–10] |
| Loss | 6–11 | Jul 2008 | Scheveningen, Netherlands | Challenger | Clay | Matwé Middelkoop
|
Rameez Junaid Philipp Marx
|
7–5, 2–6, [6–10] |
References
edit- ^ https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/melle-van-gemerden/800197197/ned/mt/s/overview/
- ^ "KNLTB winner titles" (PDF).
- ^ https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/sport/120858/ook-van-gemerden-niet-op-dutch-open
- ^ Davis Cup Profile
- ^ http://www.itftennis.com/antidoping/home.aspx%7Ctitle = ITF TENNIS ANTIDOPING|date = |access-date = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}
- ^ https://www.nu.nl/tennis/1992265/van-gemerden-helpt-ana-ivanovic.html?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
- ^ https://nos.nl/artikel/2020185-geen-friet-meer-voor-de-bakker-maar-groente
- ^ https://nos.nl/artikel/2224009-in-een-klap-is-de-tennisbond-vijftien-bijzondere-trainers-rijker
- ^ https://courts.club/the-meeting-of-melle-van-gemerdens-art-and-tennis/
- ^ https://tennistonic.com/stat-tournaments/?m=atp&tid=2478&p1=1112&p2=5992&Melle-van-GemerdenvsNovak-Djokovic
- ^ https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/melle-van-gemerden/800197197/ned/mt/s/overview/
- ^ https://www.atptour.com/en/scores/archive/amersfoort/317/2005/results
- ^ https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/scheveningen-challenger/ned/2005/m-ch-ned-01a-2005/draws-and-results/
- ^ https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/melle-van-gemerden/800197197/ned/mt/s/activity/#pprofile-info-tabs
- ^ https://www.daviscup.com/en/players/player.aspx?id=800197197