Playing the Paralympics is ‘something big’, says USA’s Mathewson

For some in sport, playing for their country brings out the best in them; for others, the pressure and expectation of a nation can prove too much to bear.

USA’s Dana Mathewson falls firmly in the camp of the former. The current world No. 8 knows that she won’t be one of the favourites for women’s singles gold going into the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, but she also knows that when she dons her country’s colours it makes her compete at a higher level.

“It’s something that I always try to cherish,” explained Mathewson. “That moment putting on a shirt that has your country’s letters on the back is a huge deal and I think it makes me play harder because I know I’m playing for something bigger than myself.”

And perhaps that extra motivation will be just what Mathewson needs to finish her week in Tokyo on the podium. The 30-year-old is certainly looking forward to what will feel like a variation from the normal grind of the wheelchair tennis tour.

She added: “I think all of it’s exciting, you know, going through team processing, getting the USA gear, going out there as a team, opening ceremony. We play the same tournaments year in and year out. Yes, we get to see beautiful places, but it does get repetitive. To play in a Games is something big, it’s something different. That, alone, is exciting so I’m just excited for it in general, it’s something different.”

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic wheelchair tennis event starts on Friday 27 August (with the Opening Ceremony of the Games kicking off on Tuesday 24 August). The medal matches are due to take place on 1-4 September.

Click here for more information about the Paralympic schedule