De Groot and Hewett make history at ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam
Diede de Groot and Alfie Hewett earned their places in the ABN AMRO Open history books as De Groot won the tournament’s first women’s wheelchair singles title and Hewett became the first wheelchair player to win four successive titles in either men’s singles or men’s doubles in Rotterdam
That the two world No. 1 players and top seeds should triumph at the ATP 500 event and Europe’s first ITF 1 Series tournament on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour is of little surprise, but after a first round bye De Groot had to earn her place in history the hard way, beating both of the players ranked directly below her, world No. 3 Aniek van Koot and world No. 2 Yui Kamiji.
Coming from 3-0 down in the second set of her semi-final to beat Van Koot 6-3, 6-4, De Groot dropped the opening set against Kamiji for the third singles final in a row this season. All three of those contests, at the Melbourne Open, the Australian Open – where Kamiji took the first set 6-0 – and now in Rotterdam, have seen De Groot finish strongly in the second and third sets and their latest encounter followed a similar pattern as De Groot triumphed 3-6, 6-4 6-2.
However, it was an absorbing contest as the world’s top two players treated the packed crowd on Rotterdam’s centre court to a fascinating match befitting of the occasion. A relieved De Groot said:
”Wow. It’s amazing that we could join this great tournament and then also fantastic to play on this court.''
“To be honest, it was a difficult start. All eyes were on me, I could feel that. Your family is there, and it's a special thing to do the first wheelchair final on centre court. It could define your history, so this also does something to you. I hoped there would be at least five people to watch, but there were many more. There was a really good atmosphere. In addition, I had to get used to the light. After all, this is only my first indoor tournament (of 2023).”
De Groot’s victory took her streak of unbeaten singles matches to 84, still some 380 matches short of the 470-match streak that Rotterdam tournament director Esther Vergeer finished her career with, but having championed the introduction of a women’s wheelchair event in Rotterdam, Vergeer was still impressed by the title decider
“What a week and what a final,” she said. “It's amazing how wheelchair tennis is included in this tournament, and to this annual tennis party. I am really very proud. You can also tell from the audience that people felt connected with Diede.”
Ending the week here in Rotterdam with a big smile. Thanks once again @abnamroopen for a great week, it’s so good for wheelchair tennis to be a part of this event. Helps to continue grow the sport even more 👊🏼
— Alfie Hewett (@alfiehewett6) February 19, 2023
🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/ceyjJShW0j
While the standard of the women’s singles final was impressive to all onlookers, Hewett’s level for the first eight games of the men’s singles final was remarkable in its own way. The defending champion took the opening set in less than 25 minutes and didn’t allow Martin de la Puente any leeway until the Spaniard earned his first break point of the match in the first game of the second set.
From there the world No.7 grew in confidence and Hewett’s level dropped, allowing De le Puente to earn two set points at 5-4 up in the second set. However, Hewett would not be denied and a cross court forehand winner on the first of two match points wrapped up a 6-0, 7-5 victory.
“I really want to play here every week, is that possible Esther?,” Hewett joked in his winner’s speech.
"For a set and a half in that match I was in tennis heaven and then it fellow off a little bit, but Martin battled hard. We’ve been playing each other now for many years, playing as juniors and now we’re here playing a final in this incredible stadium. I hope to be back next year for number five. This is an incredible event for wheelchair tennis to be a part of, so we’re very appreciative of everything and everyone behind the scenes that makes this possible us. It’s one of the best on our tour.”
Hewett’s win saw him leave Rotterdam as singles and doubles champion for the third time after partnering Gordon Reid to their third men’s doubles title in four years.
With Reid missing the tournament in 2022 as he contended with injury, the second seeds regained the ABN AMRO Open title with a 7-5, 6-4 win over top seeds De la Puente and Gustavo Fernandez.
De Groot also left Rotterdam as singles and doubles champion, partnering Van Koot to a 6-0, 6-0 win over British duo Cornelia Oosthuizen and Lucy Shuker in the title decider.