ITF

ITFWorld // SPRING 2019 31 match points but didn't win. That was a let-down. "But at Wimbledon in the summer, I just decided to have fun. I was just enjoying being there rather than looking at how many people were there or who was sitting in the players' cafe. "That really helped me win my first Grand Slam and made me hungry for more." Her appetite for silverware has proven insatiable, yielding, in addition to Grand Slam singles joy, five Grand Slam doubles crowns and a pair of NEC Masters singles and doubles titles, while she is a seven-time World Team Cup champion with Netherlands. But despite having claimed more Grand Slam singles titles by the age of 22, and having plenty of scope for further glory, De Groot refuses to entertain suggestions she has the potential to eclipse the achievements of compatriot Esther Vergeer. Wheelchair tennis trailblazer Vergeer was crowned a Grand Slam singles champion on 21 occasions before retiring in 2013 and was an inspiration for a young De Groot as she began to make her way in the sport. De Groot, who met her idol shortly after taking up wheelchair tennis at a demonstration event which Vergeer Australian Open 2018, 2019 Wimbledon 2017, 2018 US Open 2018 Masters 2017, 2018 Australian Open 2019 Roland Garros 2018 Wimbledon 2018 US Open 2017, 2018 Masters 2016, 2017 CAREER TITLES S I N G L E S D O U B L E S The 22-year-old has captured two singles titles at Wimbledon Esther Vergeer, De Groot's idol, won seven Paralympic gold medals was hosting during a tournament close to their respective homes in Utrecht, remains in awe. "Esther went unbeaten for 10 years – I don't think anyone will ever break her records," added De Groot. "Now I'm playing these tournaments I've come to realise how impressive that actually is. "I don't have a specific number of titles in mind. The main goal is to improve my game. I still feel as though there is much to improve, which is great because it's already going very well." One missing accolade from De Groot's back catalogue of success is a Paralympic gold medal – for the record Vergeer has seven – but Tokyo 2020 is very much on her radar. "The Paralympics is the biggest tournament there is. I competed at Rio, won silver in the doubles and that was a really good first experience. "Tokyo will be different with me being higher in the rankings and I'm very excited. Successful Paralympians in Holland get to meet the king and experience other special things. A gold medal is something I really want to achieve." Once she has a feel for a tournament, history suggests that De Groot seldom fails to hit her targets. ■

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