Hewett and Vink on top of the world after Cajun Classic triumphs

Great Britain’s Alfie Hewett has regained the world No. 1 ranking, while Netherlands’ Niels Vink is top of the quads for the first time after both players took titles at the Cajun Classic.

Reigning women’s No. 1 Diede de Groot established her dominance with a 13th straight title and a 45th consecutive victory as she overcame compatriot Aniek van Koot 6-4 6-1. The last time that De Groot lost a match was February last year.

Hewett, who first reached top spot in the men’s wheelchair rankings back in January 2018, has ousted Shingo Kunieda after the Japanese fell in the semi-finals to Gustavo Fernandez. Kunieda, who holds the record for most weeks at No.1, had kept a firm grip on the top spot since January 2020.

But when Hewett downed Fernandez 6-2 6-0 in the final in Louisiana, his return to the top spot was sealed.

2022 going strong with a third singles title of the year here at the Cajun Classic 😁🏆 pic.twitter.com/HDrcyw4gtc

— Alfie Hewett (@alfiehewett6) March 13, 2022

Vink moved to No. 1 in the quad rankings after he overcame fellow Dutchman Sam Schroder 6-0 6-3 in Baton Rouge.

The 19-year-old, alongside compatriot Schroder, had been touted as the future of quad tennis by long time world No. 1 Dylan Alcott, who retired after the Australian Open this year.

The battle for the No. 1 ranking will be closely contested in men’s and quad throughout the year, but De Groot will take some stopping on the women’s side.

The Dutchwoman is sitting pretty at the top of the women’s rankings with a staggering 5,620 points compared to Yui Kamiji’s 3,291. To put that into perspective, 309 points separate Hewett and Kunieda and just 159 points lie between Vink and Schroder.

Click here for all the rankings on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour