Esther Vergeer Earns Spirit of Sport Award

Written by: Staff on 18th April 2014

Dutch wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer announced her retirement

Esther Vergeer Earns Spirit of Sport Award

epa03580424 Dutch wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer presents her biography 'kracht en kwetsbaarheid' (strength and vulnerability) during the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 12 February 2013. Vergeer, gold medalist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, announced her retirement from wheelchair tennis during the book presentation. EPA/ROBIN UTRECHT |

By Ricky Dimon

Earlier this week legendary wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer received a Spirit of Sport Award, presented to her by SportAccord president Marius Vizer.

SportAccord is a union for both Olympic and non-Olympic international sports federations as well as for organizers of international sporting events. It created the Spirit of Sport Award in 2002 to annually honor those who have made exceptional and lasting contributions by using sport as a tool for positive social change.

Vergeer was recognized for her Esther Vergeer Foundation, which aims to positively impact children with disabilities through sport. The Dutchwoman started her foundation in 2004. It’s mission to bring happiness to children through fun activities is demonstrated by a sports day every year in which disabled students at 32 schools in the Netherlands participate.

Vergeer assured that while she is proud of her Paralympic medals and Grand Slam titles in wheelchair tennis, she is particularly pleased to be able contribute to improvements in children’s lives around the world. The 32-year-old added that because she has retired and is no longer a professional athlete, she can focus much of her energy on her foundation.

Her once-in-a-lifetime playing career saw her win 21 Grand Slam singles titles, 23 Grand Slam doubles titles, and four Paralympic singles gold medals. She ended her career on a 470-match winning streak when she retired in February of 2013. During the streak, Vergeer lost only 18 sets, won more than a third of her sets by a 6-0 scoreline, and won 95 matches 6-0, 6-0.

We will likely never see another Esther Vergeer, but the valuable work she is putting in during her post-career life may pave the way to future athletic success for more than a few disabled athletes.

Topics: Esther Vergeer, Marius Vizer, Ricky Dimon, Spirit of Sport Award, SportAccord, Tennis, Tennis News, Wheelchair Tennis

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10sBalls_com says:

April 18, 2014 at 8:46 pm

Esther Vergeer Earns Spirit of Sport Award – http://t.co/NpZkClH3OR @EstherVergeer #SpiritofSport #award #tennis @RD_Tennistalk
LiftRunPlay says:

April 18, 2014 at 9:04 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: Esther Vergeer Earns Spirit of Sport Award – http://t.co/NpZkClH3OR @EstherVergeer #SpiritofSport #award #tennis @RD_Tenn…
RD_Tennistalk says:

April 18, 2014 at 9:50 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: Esther Vergeer Earns Spirit of Sport Award – http://t.co/NpZkClH3OR @EstherVergeer #SpiritofSport #award #tennis @RD_Tenn…