Honouring Dutch pioneers

Wheelchair tennis is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and such a milestone certainly did not go unnoticed. To mark the occasion, the President of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), David Haggerty, honored the Dutch pioneers of the sport in Rotterdam Ahoy. Seven former Dutch players, including ABN AMRO Open wheelchair tournament director Esther Vergeer, and four coaches and support staff were inducted into the Wheelchair Tennis Hall of Champions, inaugurated in this jubilee year.

In the Wheelchair Arena, Haggerty reflected on the impact of the pioneers of the sport: "These individuals built wheelchair tennis both on and off the court, often before the sport received the recognition it deserved. To the players: you didn’t just compete in tournaments,  you shaped the sport, set new standards and helped make it visible.”

The Wheelchair Tennis Hall of Champions is a digital platform that honours athletes and support staff from various countries. The Dutch presence is significant, reflecting the major role the Netherlands has played, and still continues to play, in the development of wheelchair tennis.

Robin Ammerlaan (57), former Paralympic champion and multiple ABN AMRO Open winner, was among those honoured. "I understand that you have to have been retired for some time to be eligible for a place in the Wheelchair Tennis Hall of Champions. I don’t necessarily need to be in the spotlight, but I do appreciate that the ITF is taking a moment to recognise people who have made a special international contribution to wheelchair tennis.”

In addition to Ammerlaan, certificates were presented to former players Chantal Vandierendonck, Monique Kalkman, Korie Homan, Ricky Molier, Maaike Smit, and Esther Vergeer. Coaches and support staff Amanda Hopmans, Christo Kok, John Noakes and Aad Zwaan were also honoured. A special distinction was awarded to the KNLTB, as the federation was the first national sports body to fully embrace wheelchair tennis. The Cruyff Foundation was likewise inducted into the Hall of Champions in recognition of its support for the sport.