Esther Vergeer

Esther Vergeer, born on 18 July 1981 in Woerden, Netherlands, is a retired professional wheelchair tennis player, often considered the most successful player in the history of the sport. Vergeer, who took up wheelchair tennis after being paralyzed from the waist down due to a spinal surgery at the age of 8, turned professional in 1998. Throughout her career, she dominated the sport, winning a staggering 470 consecutive matches before retiring in 2013.

Known for her powerful serve, aggressive play, and exceptional court coverage, Vergeer has amassed numerous awards and accolades, including seven Paralympic gold medals and 13 Grand Slam singles titles. She is also recognized for her efforts off the court, making significant contributions to promoting disability sports and advocating for the rights of disabled athletes.
 

Early Career

• Esther Vergeer started her professional career in 1998 and quickly rose through the ranks to become the top-ranked player in 1999, a position she maintained throughout her career.

Domination of Wheelchair Tennis

• During her career, Vergeer won 169 singles titles, including 13 Grand Slam singles titles, 21 Grand Slam doubles titles, 23 year-end championships and 7 Paralympic titles. Her winning streak of 470 matches is one of the longest in professional sports history.

Retirement

• Vergeer announced her retirement in February 2013, ending her astounding career on a high note with an unbeaten streak.

Netherlands National Team

• Vergeer represented the Netherlands in four Paralympic games, winning a total of seven gold medals - four in singles and three in doubles.

• Position: Played as a singles and doubles player in wheelchair tennis.
• Skills: Known for her powerful serve, aggressive play, excellent court coverage, and never-give-up attitude. Vergeer's ability to adapt and strategize during matches set her apart from her competitors.

• Family: Vergeer is married to Mariska Woertman. They have a son, named Marijn.
• Philanthropy: Vergeer is involved in various charitable activities, promoting disability sports and advocating for the rights of disabled athletes. She is also the Director of the Esther Vergeer Foundation, which aims to enable children with physical disabilities to participate in sports.

Esther Vergeer is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for her determination, sportsmanship, and advocacy for disability sports. Her impact on wheelchair tennis and her status as a role model extend beyond the court, inspiring millions of disabled athletes around the world.

Most Consecutive Wins in Professional Tennis:

• 470 consecutive wins

Grand Slam Titles:

• 13 Grand Slam singles titles and 21 Grand Slam doubles titles

Paralympic Gold Medals:

• 7 Paralympic gold medals - 4 in singles and 3 in doubles

Books

• Vergeer, E. (2013) Strength & Vulnerability: My Life On and Off The Wheelchair Tennis Court. London: Bloomington.

Websites

• ITF: Information about Esther Vergeer’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.itftennis.com
• Paralympic.org: Details about Vergeer’s career at the Paralympics. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org

Articles

• BBC Sport: Esther Vergeer: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/21379481
• The Guardian: Esther Vergeer’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/feb/12/esther-vergeer-retires-wheelchair-tennis

Interviews and Documentaries

• Unbeaten (2019): Directed by Amanda Leigh Dunn and Ryan Ferguson. This documentary provides a detailed look at Vergeer’s life and career, featuring interviews with her family, friends, and colleagues.