Is Esther Vergeer unbeatable at Wimbledon?
As Esther Vergeer, arguably the world’s most successful athlete, prepares to defend her Wimbledon wheelchair doubles title, Channel 4 News meets two Britons bidding to end her unique unbeaten run.
Dutch tennis star Esther Vergeer is unbeaten in 418 singles wheelchair matches and has never been defeated at Wimbledon.
Her dominance has led some to question whether she is indeed the world’s greatest athlete.
Esther has been in a wheelchair for more than 20 years after an operation to correct defective blood vessels around her spinal cord went wrong.
She told Channel 4 News that her success came as a bit of a surprise: “All of a sudden I saw the goal of becoming number one in the world and playing in the Paralympic Games and that’s how I decided I wanted to be the best.”
The 29-year old is back in London to defend her wheelchair doubles title with Sharon Walraven.
More from Channel 4 about wheelchair tennis
There are now wheelchair doubles events at all four Grand Slam tournaments but Wimbledon is the only one without a singles wheelchair competition.
Opinion is divided among players about whether a singles tournament on grass – the most difficult surface for wheelchair athletes – would do the sport justice.
Britons aim for upset
Esther and Sharon are favourites to take the doubles title, but for the first time an all British women’s team has qualified for the competition.
Lucy Shuker, ranked seventh in the world, and Jordanne Whiley, ranked twelfth, are hoping to cause an upset at this year’s tournament.
Lucy, who had a motorbike accident 10 years ago, has competed at Wimbledon twice before and told Channel 4 News despite the stiff opposition she was hopeful of a good tournament: “Everyone’s beatable. I think we’ve got a better draw out of the two top seeds.
“We just have to play well as a team and create the openings but it will be an amazing experience for both of us. Who knows on the day.”
She added: “With Jordanne, her physical ability is huge. She’s very quick and fast round the court with massively long arms so that’s only ever going to benefit us.”
Nineteen year-old Jordanne started playing wheelchair tennis at the age of three and has picked up a number of titles since.
“This is my third Grand Slam but my first Wimbledon so I’m excited especially to be playing with Lucy.”
She told Channel 4 News the pair could “definitely” win Wimbledon.
“Me and Lucy are playing really well at the moment and we’ve been training really well.”
“We’ve got our game plan and although there are fantastic players I think we can do it.”
More on the Paralympics
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Fastest man on no legs eyes Olympic glory
26 May 2011
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Inspiring Paralympic athletes speak of their 2012 fever
24 May 2011
