The racketlon community will descend on the Dutch city of Rotterdam over the next few days for the 21st Racketlon World Championships, in perhaps the best location yet for it!
Rotterdam is a vibrant city, known for its innovative architecture and bustling port. And Tennis & Squash Centrum Victoria has incredible racket sport facilities. It has seven clay tennis courts including a show court, eight indoor tennis courts, 12 squash courts including two permanent glass show courts, six badminton courts, a bar and restaurant, good spectator viewing, and more – including table football!
Switzerland’s Nicole Eisner says, “It’s big so practice and warm-up is possible. I think that’s sometimes a problem that you cannot really warm up; you just have to play.”
The restaurant and bar is perhaps the biggest in any racketlon venue, with a big team of staff serving a great selection of food and drink. Also, while unconfirmed, we understand the team plan to have the Olympics on one of the big screens (a racketlon live stream on the other).
And, of course, there’s a great soundsystem for players’ party karaoke!
Largely due to the quality of the venue, it has been locked in as the World Championship venue for three straight years (last year, this year, and next year).
Fleur Maas, a squash player with Victoria for 15 years and tournament planning team member, says, “We are super excited to host the World Champs for the second year in a row. The atmosphere was awesome last year and we aim to do even better this year. We are especially looking forward to next week to see local Dutchies play and see the best racketlon players in the world compete again!”
Speaking of best players in the world, Luke Griffiths, the two-time reigning champ, says, “Rotterdam is a fantastic city. Lots of things to do, lots of things to see. I particularly love Market Hall [Markthal], because of the food obviously and the ice cream is good.”
“In terms of the venue it is one of the best for sure. It’s all so close together, the sports, and the conditions are great. Lots of viewing space as well for the sports, which is great. I think it definitely suits the GB teams considering we’ve got so many players and supporters.
“Duncan said they’re doing all they can to improve it, which I think would be impressive because it was a great tournament last year. I think we’re all just really looking forward to it and can’t wait for it now!”
Markthal that Luke speaks of is an incredible horseshoe-shaped modernist structure combining apartments with a vibrant indoor market. Its ceiling features the world’s largest artwork, The Horn of Plenty by Arno Coenen. Inside, stalls sell fresh produce, international delicacies, and local treats, including Dutch cheeses and stroopwafels.
Other attractions in the Dutch city include the stunning Erasmus Bridge; the historic, Amsterdam-esque Delfshaven region; the 185m-high skyscraper Euromast with panoramic views all over the city; Kunsthal which houses a vast array of artwork and fashion; and the architectural wonder/oddity that is the Cube Houses, tilted, cube-shaped houses perched on top of pylons, as if Picasso was an architect in his cubist era.
Rotterdam is also very conveniently located. Mandrin Mouchet of France says, “The city is very well served, by train and bike for example.”
It lies right in the middle of seven of the eight countries in the World Cup (Denmark, UK, France, Sweden, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland – the other country is Hong Kong), and is easily accessible from all these countries by train or coach, sustainable options in keeping with racketlon’s goals. It’s just a half-hour train journey from Schiphol Airport for those who fly.
“The Victoria Club is exceptional for hosting this competition,” Mandrin adds. “The grandstand and the upstairs gallery for watching the squash in particular are fantastic. All we need now is some sunshine.”
So here’s hoping for some heat. I’m sure the players, at the very least, will provide it. Zie je daar!
