Paris 2024: Netherlands the team to beat again in wheelchair tennis
Dutch league of legends seek to continue rich history in the event at the iconic Roland Garros 28 Aug 2024
Netherlands have dominated wheelchair tennis like no other nation in any Paralympic sport - and will again be the country to be at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Wheelchair tennis has been a crowd favourite since it was introduced as a demonstration sport in 1988, before being properly added to the Paralympic programme in 1992.
Since then, the Netherlands have won the most wheelchair tennis medals at every single Games.
They stand proudly at the top of the overall medal table with 51 medals and 23 golds, well ahead of the second-placed USA, who have 19 medals, six of them gold.
Among the Dutch league of legends in the sport are Esther Vergeer, Chantal Vandierendonck, Monique Kalkman-Van Den Bosch, Aniek van Koot, Diede de Groot, Sam Schröder and Niels Vink. The latter three will all be back in Paris and are strong favourites to retain their titles.
The action takes place at the iconic clay of the Roland Garros Stadium, home of the French Open, between 30 August and 7 September.
Five stories to follow…
De Groot finally beaten – but determined to rectify in Paris
Diede de Groot is already a legend in wheelchair tennis. The current no.1 ranked player in both singles and doubles, she achieved the first calendar-year Super Slam ever in 2021, winning all four majors, the Paralympic gold and the Wheelchair Tennis Masters.
No wonder she says “I have a pretty big target on my back.” And Xiaohui Li of China recently hit that target – ending de Groot’s 145 match winning streak in Turkey at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup.
“Of course, (it brings) big feelings,” said De Groot. But people shouldn’t be mistaken that she is discouraged as she heads to Paris. “There is no change in my power, my resilience and my will to win. It's actually that simple."
Oda peaking at the right time
Tokito Oda is an athlete who is timing his run-in to Paris 2024 perfectly. Last month the Japanese player defended his French Open title title on the Roland Garros clay where the Paralympics will take place.
It was his fourth slam victory, coming just a year after he’d scooped his first. “It's really amazing, because this tournament is so special for me. To come back for special moments, it’s a special place,” 18-year-old Oda said about Paris. “I love this city.”
That love could get even deeper should he triumph in September.
British veteran Shuker goes again
Many thought that British star Lucy Shuker might hang up her racket after winning silver at Tokyo 2020 – or when her playing partner (Jordanne Whiley) from that match, which they lost against de Groot and Aniek van Koot, decided to retire. But the 44 year old has pushed on to Paris and will again be gunning to beat the Dutch greats.
Vink steps up
At Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Niels Vink brought home two medals (a gold and a bronze) in wheelchair tennis singles and doubles tournaments. Now he is a four-time Grand Slam singles champion and the reigning world No. 1 in the quad singles.
He can’t wait to test himself again this summer – and he is ready. “Of course you have to train very hard, but I think one of the most important parts is to be stable in your mind," he explained.
"You have to train your mind like you train your tennis and your physical. Of course the Paralympic Games are the biggest goal. Paris is different because these Paralympic Games will be played on Roland Garros, and I’ve been there twice.”
Schroder aims to fill Alcott’s shoes
With the legendary Dylan Alcott retiring – he will be at Paris 2024 working for Australian TV, Sam Schroder of the Netherlands, one of the few players to beat him in recent years, will be questing for the singles title.
Schroder spoiled Alcott’s swansong in 2022 with an impressive win. “Overall I was mostly just enjoying myself more so than feeling pressure to try and beat him,” he said back then. He will now bring that mentality to Roland Garros.
