Vergeer Wins 400th Consecutive Wheelchair Match
Esther Vergeer extended her incredible winning streak by winning her 400th consecutive wheelchair tennis singles match on Saturday during the NEC Masters in Amsterdam. Vergeer, 29, of the Netherlands, is also undefeated at the NEC Masters since her debut in 1998 and came within two points of defeat last year when facing Korie Homan at the NEC Masters.
In 1990, after undergoing surgery for a spinal defect and brain hemorrhage, Vergeer became paralyzed from the waist down. Making the most of her situation, Vergeer has since become one of the most successful wheelchair tennis players in history, first reaching world No. 1 in 1999. She has not lost one singles wheelchair tennis match since January 2003 and her current 400-match winning streak is the most successful run in tennis ever. The five-time Paralympic champion (three singles and two doubles) and five-time US Open champion has also won 102 consecutive wheelchair tennis tournaments and ten consecutive World Team Cup Championships titles from 2000 to 2009.
Off the court, Vergeer spends time with her foundation, The Esther Vergeer Foundation, to promote and organize wheelchair sports for children with disabilities. She was recognized during this year’s US Open Opening Night, honoring athletes who dream, succeed and inspire.
Esther Vergeer Quick Facts
CAREER RECORD: Singles: 609-25
2010 RANKING: Singles: 1, Doubles: 4
2010 RECORD: Singles: 17-0
Esther Vergeer has won:
- 400 consecutive singles matches
- 102 straight tournaments
- 12 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters singles titles
- Eight NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters doubles titles
- 10 ITF World Champion titles
- Five Paralympic gold medals (three singles and two doubles)
- Five US Open singles titles
