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World’s best headline Rotterdam wheelchair tennis entries
Esther Vergeer will be tournament director for the World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, which includes eight of the world’s top 10 men’s players. 20 Jan 2014
Japan’s Paralympic champion Shingo Kunieda took to the court at the Davis Cup in Tokyo to showcase his sport to his hometown fans.
Four-time Paralympic gold medallist Esther Vergeer provided the commentary on the demonstration match and was then appointed tournament director for the first World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, which was held in 2009. Vergeer will be the tournament director for the sixth time in 2014.
Eight of the world’s top 10 men’s singles players have been named in an impressive entry for the Sixth World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, which takes place at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from 11-15 February.
The ITF 1 Series event on the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour is one of a growing number of wheelchair tennis tournaments to take place alongside ATP or WTA Tour events, and this year’s draw size for the men’s singles has been increased from eight to 12 players.
The men’s entries include:
Shingo Kunieda (Japan)
Stephane Houdet (France)
Joachim Gerard (Belgium)
Gordon Reid (Great Britain)
Maikel Scheffers (Netherlands)
Michael Jeremiasz (France)
Nicolas Peifer (France)
Ronald Vink (Netherlands)
Frederic Cattaneo (France)
Tom Egberink (Netherlands)
Marc McCarroll (Great Britain)
Alfie Hewett (Great Britain)
Seven years ago, during the 34th World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, a wheelchair tennis demonstration was given by Robin Ammerlaan and Ronald Vink. They played against fellow Dutch players Richard Krajicek and Jan Siemerink on the centre court, watched by en enthusiastic crowd.
Four-time Paralympic gold medallist Esther Vergeer provided the commentary on the demonstration match and was then appointed tournament director for the first World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, which was held in 2009. Vergeer will be the tournament director for the sixth time in 2014.
The inaugural World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in 2009 was won by Dutchman Robin Ammerlaan, while Frenchman Stephane Houdet took the title in 2010. Ronald Vink then ensured that the title returned to the Netherlands in both 2011 and 2012 before Japan’s world No. 1 Shingo Kunieda claimed the major honours in 2013.
Current world No. 2 Houdet, world No. 9 Vink and Kunieda will all return in 2014, while world No. 1 ranked junior Alfie Hewett has been awarded a wildcard for this year's tournament.