Diede de Groot, the world’s most dominant wheelchair tennis player, recently opened up about the unique pressures she faces and her desire to push for change, both in her sport and beyond. Her impressive career has already made her one of the greatest Dutch athletes, alongside names like Max Verstappen, Virgil van Dijk, Mathieu van der Poel, Femke Bol, and Sifan Hassan. But de Groot’s ambitions go far beyond merely winning tournaments; she’s determined to break barriers and elevate parasport to new heights.
Pressure of Expectations
In a recent interview, de Groot admitted that the expectations on her shoulders are unlike anything she’s experienced before. Reflecting on the difference between competing at the 2021 Paralympics in Tokyo and her current situation, she said, “It’s different to playing in Tokyo. I had no pressure there – anything was good. Here, I know that only winning is going to be good.”
This shift in mindset speaks to her growing stature within the sport and the heightened expectations that come with being a reigning champion. The fact that the Netherlands has never failed to win Paralympic gold in women’s wheelchair tennis singles in nine editions of the Games only adds to the pressure.
The extraordinary success of Dutch wheelchair tennis can be largely attributed to the Royal Dutch Lawn Tennis Association (KNLTB), which has integrated players with disabilities into their programs from an early age. This inclusive approach allows wheelchair tennis players to participate in able-bodied events, giving them more opportunities to hone their skills. De Groot herself has benefitted from this system, but she acknowledges that the road to the top is not easy.
The Weight of History and Legacy
De Groot is acutely aware that she’s carrying the weight of history every time she steps onto the court. While the pressure may be immense, she’s shown time and again that she has the mental fortitude to handle it. With numerous Grand Slam titles and Paralympic gold medals to her name, she is already a legend in the sport. However, her drive to succeed remains as strong as ever.
“I don’t think I’ll ever take my foot off the pedal,” de Groot said, emphasizing that there are still many challenges left for her to face, both on and off the court. One of her main goals is to continue to push for greater recognition and opportunities for disabled athletes.
Despite the growth of wheelchair tennis in recent years, de Groot believes that there’s still a long way to go. “Wheelchair tennis has grown so much,” she told CNN, “but there’s always better improvements. I think we’re not prioritized the same way still.”
Breaking Barriers Beyond Tennis
De Groot’s ambitions extend far beyond her own success on the tennis court. Since 2021, she has partnered with Nike, a collaboration she is particularly proud of due to the shared values between herself and the company. “Sport can break barriers, push limits, spark change, and contribute to creating a more equitable future,” de Groot said.
As a woman with a disability, de Groot sees herself as part of a long line of trailblazers who have used their platforms to create positive change. “I think about those who have paved the way for me and how they used their platforms to create so much change, even beyond sport. I hope to be a role model for those around me and those after me,” she explained.
De Groot’s commitment to promoting equality and inclusion is deeply rooted in her personal experiences. Hailing from the Netherlands, a country known for its cycling culture, she recognizes how fortunate she is to live in a place where people with disabilities are afforded more opportunities to participate in everyday life. In the Netherlands, people with disabilities can legally use all types of vehicles on a network of cycle paths, providing a level of accessibility that is still a dream in many other countries.
The Financial Struggles of Disabled Athletes
While de Groot is able to make a living doing what she loves, she is fully aware that this is not the case for many other disabled athletes. In an interview with Holland Herald, she addressed the financial challenges that many para-athletes face. “I’m fortunate enough to be able to earn a living doing what I love, but unfortunately, that’s not the case for most disabled athletes,” de Groot said.
She cited a study conducted in the Netherlands that found 85% of respondents couldn’t name a single athlete with a disability. For de Groot, this statistic highlights the lack of visibility and recognition that parasports still face. “We still have a long way to go,” she admitted.
De Groot is not content with simply being a successful athlete; she wants to use her platform to be an advocate for disabled athletes around the world. “It’s not just about competitions for me anymore. I’m excited to be a spokeswoman for the sport and for disabled athletes in general. I believe that if people were more exposed to parasports and saw disabled people in the media, they’d be more interested in them,” she said.
Calls for Greater Support from the Sports World
De Groot’s call for greater recognition of disabled athletes has been echoed by other prominent figures in the sports world. Jürgen Klopp, the renowned Liverpool football manager, recently voiced his support for para-athletes while attending the Paris Paralympics. Klopp, who was there to watch his friend Wojtek Czyz compete in para-badminton, emphasized the need for broadcasters to provide more coverage of parasports.
“We’re all ready to watch much more than we show,” Klopp said. “Broadcasting is a business, 100%, I understand that. But I really think we should show much more because it’s so encouraging. It’s so wonderful.”
Klopp’s sentiments align perfectly with de Groot’s mission to elevate the profile of parasports. As one of the most recognizable figures in wheelchair tennis, de Groot is in a unique position to inspire future generations of athletes and push for lasting change.
Inspiring Future Generations
While de Groot is focused on her own career, she is also acutely aware of the impact she can have on future athletes. Whether she’s winning titles or advocating for equality, her influence is undeniable. By continuing to break barriers on and off the court, de Groot is paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in sports.
As de Groot herself said, “As a woman with a disability, I think about those who have paved the way for me, and I hope to be a role model for those around me and those after me.” Her tireless efforts to promote parasports and challenge societal norms make her not only a remarkable athlete but also a powerful advocate for change.
Conclusion
Diede de Groot’s journey in wheelchair tennis has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her dominance on the court, coupled with her dedication to promoting equality and visibility for disabled athletes, makes her one of the most important figures in parasports today. While her future on the court looks bright, it’s her work off the court that may have the most lasting impact. As she continues to inspire both athletes and fans alike, de Groot is proving that the true measure of an athlete’s greatness is not just their victories but also their ability to drive change.
