Four in a row, Statler and Waldorf, Mallorca: Vink conquers Wimbledon
He has already won everything there is to win, but his latest Wimbledon triumph has propelled Niels Vink to the brink of the first Calendar Grand Slam of his career.
Vink defeated fellow Dutchman Sam Schroder for the third Wimbledon quad final in a row, prevailing 6-1 6-3 on Court No. 3 to take his tally of Grand Slam singles titles to 10.
Vink is now the second player, across any category of wheelchair tennis, to win four consecutive Wimbledon singles titles after Diede de Groot, having won his first in 2023 when he dispatched Australia’s Heath Davidson in the final.
The 23-year-old is also the second player after Dylan Alcott to record a streak of five consecutive Grand Slam quad wheelchair singles titles – he started that winning run here at Wimbledon last year.
He has since won the 2025 US Open and all three Grand Slams – Australian Open, Roland Garros and now Wimbledon – this year, meaning a successful title defence in New York in September will seal a Calendar Grand Slam.
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“Four Wimbledon titles in a row – that’s crazy,” said Vink, who already has a career Golden Slam in quad singles to his name after winning all four Grand Slam titles and Paralympic gold at Paris 2024.
“When I won my first, it was already special because Wimbledon is so special. To win it four times – and four in a row – that is insane. Wimbledon really feels like home.
“I am also into doubles figures now in terms of Grand Slam singles titles. That is a lot and one more than nine, so that is nice. And it is one more now for the Calendar Grand Slam. I would be lying if I said it hasn’t gone through my mind.
“For me, however, the most important thing is that I am enjoying tennis again because there was a time I was not feeling that well on court. I have now won three Grand Slams this year and need just one more.
“I am going to try everything to be at my best at the US Open and if I win, I win. If I lose, I lose. We will see.”
Vink has spoken very powerfully in the past about the role of his former coach Hans-Jurgen Striek, who sadly passed away shortly after the 2025 US Open following a period of declining health.
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Striek mentored Vink since he was 15, oversaw his protégé’s rise to the top and was named World Tennis Wheelchair Tennis Coach of the Year for 2023. His illness had a profound effect on Vink, who is now coached by Alex Gaspa.
During his post-match speech, Vink revealed that he felt something today – something almost spiritual – that was key in powering him to victory.
“Last year, Alex was sitting in the same seat as he was today, and Hans was next to him – they looked like Statler and Waldorf from The Muppet Show. I don’t know what it was, but today I had no tension in the match whatsoever.
“I felt I could do whatever I wanted to do and everything I wanted to do was working. I don’t know, it felt as though something was helping me. I am not a believer or anything, but I really felt something.”
Vink has previously made no secret of his desire to celebrate Grand Slam victories, particularly here at Wimbledon. In 2024, he promised to be singing Karaoke and dancing on a London bar somewhere, while last year he was about to pop champagne corks.
“I am 100 per cent going to be popping champagne corks again,” said Vink. “Next week, I am going on holiday to Mallorca so I will celebrate there. For now, my brother and sister want to spray some champagne, so we’ll have some fun this afternoon.”
Enjoy the party, Niels.
A full list of results from the 2026 Wimbledon Wheelchair Championships can be found here