ITF

ITF World Winter 2020 35 round-robin stage of the competition to turn the tables on the world No.1 in the final, while the powerhouse that is Dutch wheelchair tennis had another star. "It's amazing to look back on," added Schroder, who also reached the final of the quad doubles alongside David Wagner. "Not necessarily the result but just being able to play at a Grand Slam for the first time was an amazing experience for me and I look back on that tournament with a lot of pride and happiness. "The first match I had against Dylan in the round robin was my first match at a Grand Slam. I remember rolling into the big stadium which was full of cameras – it was just a crazy experience and certainly left an imprint on me. "The whole experience was just mind-blowing. Seeing top able-bodied players up close, being next to them on court, was so cool. Of course, the picture I had with [men's champion] Dominic Thiem, where we both had our trophies, was a special moment. "Playing Dylan was also special. He is the world No. 1 and one of the most famous wheelchair athletes out there right now. To beat him was unbelievable, something I totally didn't expect, especially after the first match. "The winning moment itself was just unbelievable. At the time there was a little bit of disbelief. I was thinking, 'what just happened here?' but after a while it sinks in. Of course, by now it has." Success has brought heightened scrutiny and media attention, something which Geleen-born Schroder concedes has been alien to him, while perhaps only a few years ago he would have struggled to cope with the furore. The 21-year-old admits to having been shy and someone who found it difficult at times to converse with people, even his coach, or look an individual in the eye while speaking. However, as his career has blossomed, so has he. Schroder describes himself as a "completely different person", while Broens, who has been alongside his protégé since the start of his wheelchair tennis adventure, heaps praise on his development, claiming he is now "more open and a good fish swimming in a big pond". The frenzy surrounding his US Open triumph may finally be subsiding, while Alcott gained revenge during the semi-finals at Roland Garros in October on his way to lifting silverware in Paris. Schroder is now "back to normal" and has returned to energy-sapping training – four hours on court per day, Monday- Thursday, and fitness sessions on top – with goals reset. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the various postponements of major events, 2021 has the potential to be one of the biggest and greatest sporting years on record. Schroder has designs on being at the forefront. "My ultimate goal one day is to be world No. 1 but there is still a huge gap between myself and Dylan", said Schroder, who has risen to No. 3 in the global rankings. "The next step is to play more Grand Slams. I will look forward to playing at the Australian Open and hopefully reaching my US Open level. "There is the Paralympics as well in 2021 and the goal for me is to get a medal. It doesn't matter which medal but getting a medal at the Paralympics would be one of my dreams accomplished. "Even just going to Tokyo would be amazing. Going to the Paralympics for the first time, being in a stadium which is hopefully filled with tens of thousands of people would be incredible. No matter what the end result, it would be amazing. The Paralympics is an end goal." It is quite conceivable that 2021 will play a prominent role in Schroder's moving, captivating and far from finished script. n Below Schroder, 21, has been forced to overcome many difficult moments Schroder with fellow US Open champion Dominic Thiem

• Cover