Vergeer And Draney, Wheelchair Legends, Are Inducted Into International Tennis Hall of Fame

International Tennis Federation, ITF
International Tennis Federation (photo: ITF)

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2023 (by Michael Dickens)

It’s been said that introduction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is the crowning achievement for any tennis player, the culmination of an extraordinary career.

Last Saturday in Newport, Rhode Island, the Class of 2023 was enshrined in ceremonies at the International Tennis Hall of Fame emceed by Tennis Channel commentator Brett Haber. Inducted were two wheelchair greats, Esther Vergeer of the Netherlands and Rick Draney of the United States. They are the sixth and seventh wheelchair players to receive their sport’s highest honor.

Vergeer won a total of 44 Grand Slams (21 in singles) as well as eight Paralympics medals (seven of them gold). She was ranked No. 1 for 668 consecutive weeks, from October 2000 to January 2013. She retired with 470 straight wins and had a career winning percentage of 96 percent.

“Tennis gave me confidence,” Vergeer said during her induction speech. “Tennis was making me laugh. Tennis was making me take back control over my life, believing in myself, trusting everything would be all right. I have never felt more comfortable than I have on a tennis court.

“It’s an indescribable, almost magical feeling. Tennis transformed me into the very essence of who I am today. A testament to the power of perseverance, resilience, and determination.

“This moment is not mine alone. It reflects the unlimited support, dedication and love that has surrounded me throughout my tennis career. It’s a celebration of the sport that has shaped my life and incredible people who have walked this path with me.

“Thank you to my family, whose belief fueled my dreams and provided the backbone of success. I know that they have enjoyed watching me but I’m so sure that I’m also sue that in all those years there were times for them that it was stressful, or that they  feared me traveling the world by myself. Thank you for never stopping to support me.”

Meanwhile, Draney was a pioneer of quad division wheelchair tennis. He won five British Open titles and seven US Open titles at the Super Series level, the highest level of wheelchair competition before the Grand Slams began wheelchair tennis in 2002. He was a three-time ITF year-end World No. 1 in quad singles.

“I am grateful for the journey that I have enjoyed,” Draney said during his induction ceremony speech. “I am proud of the determination that allowed me as a quadriplegic with little to no hand function to develop a method of securing a racquet in my hand consistently and comfortably so I could play.

“I am proud of the creativity and innovation, if you will, that prompted me to wrap my hand and wrist with the adhesive side out so I could make better contact with the push to move more effectively and efficiently.

“I am proud of the many opportunities I had to share what I had learned and developed with other quadriplegics so they could participate in play.

“I am proud of being an advocate and campaigner for possibilities and opportunities for growth of the quad division in the United States and around the world since I began playing i 1984. Wow, I’m getting old.”

To read a transcript of the entire speeches by both Vergeer and Draney, click here.

Mubadala Citi DC Open less than a week away

It’s only been 10 days since the Wimbledon Championships ended, and if the ATP and WTA schedules are any indicator, there’s been plenty of tennis to whet everyone’s appetites – both in Europe (Bastad, Gstaad, Palermo, Budapest, Umag, Hamburg, Warsaw and Lausanne) and the United States (Newport, Houston). After all, tennis never really comes to a halt – and it’s time for the North American hard court swing – the US Open Series – to start in earnest with the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C., an ATP 500/WTA 250 combined event. Qualifying starts Saturday and the main draw kicks off next Monday.

“We have a fantastic deep field of players lined up to compete in the 2023 Mubadala Citi DC Open,” tournament chairman Mark Ein said recently. “The draw showcases Grand Slam champions, former World No. 1s, Olympic gold medalists, Top 10 players and some of the most exciting fan favorites in the game.”

While the status of men’s defending champ Nick Kyrgios remains hopeful – he’s played only one tour-level match this season, a straight-set loss at Stuttgart on grass last month, while nursing a variety of lingering injuries – the projected top eight men’s seeds are:

1. Daniil Medvedev, 2. Taylor Fritz, 3. Frances Tiafoe, 4.Felix Auger-Aliassime, 5. Hubert Hurkacz, 6. Grigor Dimitrov, 7. Alexander Bublik, 8. Adrian Mannarino.

The projected eight women’s seeds are:

1. Jessica Pegula, 2. Caroline Garcia, 3. Coco Gauff, 4. Daria Kasatkina, 5. Victoria Azarenka, 6. Sloane Stephens, 7. Elina Svitolina, 8. Maria Sakkari.

Coming soon to Centre Court, Canada: Carlos Alcaraz

The National Bank Open presented by Rogers, a Masters 1000 event for men this year in Toronto, is being proactive in announcing that reigning US Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will be featured in the Wednesday, August 8 night session.

Alcaraz will be playing his inaugural match in Toronto and the National Bank Open wasted no time in getting word out to help boost ticket sales for this US Open Series event.

National Bank Open to celebrate Pride

Speaking of the National Bank Open, the Masters 1000 event will celebrate Pride Day at Sobeys Stadium with ticket discounts being offered in select areas during the day session on August 9. Fans can feel the pride as the tournament celebrates the 2SLGBTQ+ community through various engaging initiatives and activations on-site. You Can Play, a project that works to ensure the safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including 2SLGBTQ+ athletes, coaches and fans, will also be part of the celebration.

Passing shots

Last Saturday, it was wedding day in the Czech Republic for two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who married her coach, Jiri Vanek.

Kvitova announced her marriage via social media Sunday by simply captioning a photo of her and her husband “Mr and Mrs” as well as their wedding date.

By the numbers

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland, the top seed this week at the BNP Paribas Warsaw Open in her home country, won her opening round match against No. 181 Nigina Abduraimova of Uzbekistan, 6-4, 6-3, on Tuesday evening. Swiatek has strung together the third longest initial reign at No. 1 in WTA history. Swiatek has been World No. 1 for 68 weeks, ahead of Serena  Williams’ 57 weeks. Hall of Famers Steffi Graf  (186 weeks) and Martina Hingis (80 weeks) are ahead of Swiatek.

“Quotable …”

– World No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland, who is competing in her home country, on the significance of playing in front of Polish tennis fans.

“Watching Djokovic and Rafa still playing fighting and I haven’t played against Alcaraz, Rune. That’s something I also can’t wait to play against them.”

– Kei Nishikori, 33, of Japan, who is competing at this week’s ATP Atlanta Open – his first tour-level event since Indian Wells in October 2021 after dealing with hip surgery last year. Playing with a protected ranking, Nishikori won his first-round match 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) over No. 63 Justin Thompson of Australia.

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