Schroder tops quad singles podium on day of Dutch joy at Wimbledon
No doubt there will be many more to come, but this was a special day for Sam Schroder of the Netherlands.
The 22-year-old began proceedings by claiming his third Grand Slam quad singles title by dispatching world No. 1 Niels Vink, before joining forces with his compatriot to top the doubles podium.
Schroder, who was diagnosed with colon cancer shortly after his 18th birthday, defeated Vink 7-6(5) 6-1 to add a Wimbledon crown to his Grand Slam tally, which also includes US Open and Australian Open singles crowns.
“Since this was my first title at Wimbledon, it feels amazing,” Schroder told itftennis.com. “Last year was the first time I played here and I played Dylan [Alcott] in the final. It took time to get used to grass and all the slices.
“Here, I came more prepared and knew what to expect. I went into the final confident, but we have played a lot of finals against each other, so it was always going to be the flip of a coin as to who was going to win. In the end, of course I was very happy to take the win.
“I am now a Roland Garros title away from completing a career Grand Slam, which would be amazing. There are not a lot of people who have achieved that, so it would be unreal to be on that list.”
A matter of hours after his singles disappointment – and no doubt still reeling from it – Vink re-united with Schroder to seal their third Grand Slam doubles title as a pair.
Schroder and Vink, who were the top-seeded pair in the doubles, outmanoeuvred Andy Lapthorne of Great Britain and American David Wagner 6-7(4) 6-2 6-3 on Court No. 1. After his galling defeat in the singles, this handed Vink more than a modicum of consolation.
“It feels really good. In the singles, I wasn’t there and my mind was going crazy,” world No. 1 Vink told itftennis.com. “I did some stupid things. I don’t know why but it happened. Sam was playing really good and I didn’t know what to do.
“This was my first tournament on grass, and I am still not used to the grass. I had good preparation but a lot of times I didn’t know how the ball was going to bounce. For next year, I will be more ready.”
This year’s Wimbledon has seen an expanded quad draw, with eight players featuring for the first time. It brings the tournament in line with the other Grand Slams in terms of opportunities for quad players, and represents an important step according to Schroder.
“It’s great that, together with the other Grand Slams, Wimbledon has eight entrants,” said Schroder. “That’s great for the sport and for recognition. People are recognising how much effort we put into it and how professional we are.
“Also, playing on a big court today and a lot of people coming to watch, that was great. Hopefully more people will now know about us.”