"He should take a good look in the mirror" - Tallon Griekspoor not hiding his displeasure for Dutch Davis Cup team as tensions rise

There is visible tension between the Dutch tennis players on the ATP Tour, and these have grown substantially after more controversy arose around the Netherland's surprise defeat to India in the Davis Cup qualifiers. Dutch number one Tallon Griekspoor was not on the team, and has come out and publicly lambasted his fellow countryman Jesper De Jong.

As the ABN AMRO Open continues in Rotterdam, the best Dutch players in the world have been competing as they look to make up for the disappointing Davis Cup upset.

It was played in Bengaluru in India, with the top two players, Griekspoor and Botic Van de Zandschulp, not making the trip with the tournament in Rotterdam firmly on their minds. Responsibility was placed on De Jong and Guy Den Ouden as they travelled to Asia looking to keep their country's hopes alive in the tournament.

It started well with Den Ouden picking up a three set triumph over Sumit Nagal before De Jong was unable to get past Dhakshineswar Suresh. The doubles glory went India's way to start the second day. India went ahead 2-1 with the Netherlands team needing two singles wins to keep their hopes alive. De Jong came back from a set down against Nagal to level the tie up, but Den Ouden was unable to get a result at a critical time, losing out to Suresh in the fifth and final tie.

De Jong and Den Oulden, as well as Griekspoor and Van de Zandschulp, all participated in the ongoing tournament in Rotterdam. It was not all harmony between players with De Jong responding to criticism he had received from Griekspoor.

"If that's how you treat your fellow players, I don't need to give him a hug," he stated, defending himself and the team after the Davis Cup failure.

Griekspoor has not been on the team in recent times, in the past accusing them of 'amateurism.' He was very stubborn in the fact that he would not be wearing his country's jersey anytime soon as long as there is an overhaul with who is competing.

"Those are strong words for someone who's failed for the second time in a row," he told NOS "He says I'm embarrassing the country, while he's losing as the leader of the 500th-placed team. I'm not going to waste time and energy on people who don't benefit me. So not on him either."

There is no sign that both Griekspoor and De Jong will be making up any time soon. "I don't know what I need him for," Griekspoor said. "If he doesn't dare look me in the face and say hello, then you've come to the wrong place. He should say and do what he wants. If he dares to be so outspoken after a performance like that this weekend, he should take a good look in the mirror first."

The round-of-16 stage is currently being played out in the Netherlands with Griekspoor already cementing his spot in the quarter-finals after taking down Quentin Halys in straight sets. Botic Van de Zandschulp is also still in the hunt with his next match coming against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

For the Davis Cup participants, their tournament is already over. Den Ouden failed to get a set off Ugo Humbert in the last-16 while had the tough task of Karen Khachanov in his opening test, losing out in three sets to abruptly halt his homecoming.

The likes of Alex de Minaur, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexander Bublik are the strong favourites to take the title, but the Dutch contingent would love to see one of their players taking home silverware.