ITF

117 We both knew that we would probably meet one another in the final, so we were working towards that. And eventually we met in the final. I was playing very well and was a set and 4-2 up – all going perfectly to plan – when she suddenly turned it around. She won the second set and then went 5-3 up in the third to force match point. To come back to win from that point, given all the pressure and tension, it was probably the pinnacle of my career. Afterwards, the emotions were very intense for both of us because I had managed to win from a very difficult position and she had just missed out on winning gold and beating me for the first time in the process. That one match summed up the beauty of competition because while the two of you are almost enemies on the court you can end up sharing intense emotions that you will never forget. Pressure was probably one of the toughest things I had to face in the last few years of my career. And I felt that pressure all the time – not only the pressure from outside but also the pressure I put on myself because I knew I had a chance and the ability to win that gold medal. I had the feeling I could only lose. That was when I started working with sports psychologists. How do I get rid of that feeling that I play for somebody else? How do I get rid of that feeling that I have to prove myself to the outside world? We did breathing exercises and visualisation and what worked for me was to give myself a plan, a goal that would help me focus on the match and not the result. That helped me. I went to Sydney, Beijing, Athens and London to see the stadium before the event so I knew exactly where I was going to play. For me, that was very important. It meant that I could be sitting at home, having just had a good training session, and I could close my eyes and envisage how it would be at the Paralympic Games. I knew that winning a medal could mean so much for society as well because all of a sudden you become a role model. And that's one of the things I enjoy a lot because I enjoy inspiring people, opening people's eyes and that all comes with winning medals. I loved it in 2000 in Sydney and that became more impactful during the years when disability sports gained more attention. It has enabled me to have more influence in other's people's lives and this is one of the things I'm most proud of. I know with my medals I can open doors, I can talk to people you wouldn't normally be able to talk to, like leaders in sporting organisations and government. You've proved yourself as a serious athlete and overcome certain obstacles. The admiration people might have for you can help, not only in personal life but business life, too. All my medals and trophies are at mum and dad's garage, somewhere in boxes. But I've just moved to another house where I have more space and I bought a display cabinet – I never wanted that before. This is the first time that I've felt ready to showcase some of my most treasured trophies. After all, it's part of my life and I'm proud of it. In fact, over the years I think I've become even more proud of it. I have this mission of making disability sports more visible, making them more accessible for people worldwide. I know that disability sports would add so much to someone's life so I would really like to see if I can improve the Paralympic movement. That's what I would really like to use my medals for. I feel lucky to be going back to the Paralympics as a staff member. I'll be in Rio as a Deputy Chef de Mission for the Dutch Paralympic team. Maybe I'll get a chance to enjoy other sports this time with no pressure on my own shoulders, but instead supporting the other athletes. To come back to win from that point, given all the pressure and tension, it was probably the pinnacle of my career.

• Cover