Wheelchair tennis legend Esther Vergeer heading back to work after cancer treatment

Retired Dutch wheelchair tennis legend Esther Vergeer has said that she has successfully completed breast cancer treatment and will resume her work schedule.

39-year-old Vergeer has said that she will resume her work as the leader of the Dutch wheelchair tennis team as they prepare for the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2021. She will also resume her role as director of the ABN AMRO World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, and as a board member of her foundation.

Esther Vergeer getting back to work after cancer treatment

In her statement, Vergeer says, "“All treatments are now over, I had the last conversation with the doctor and it is ready. Literally and figuratively. And I am especially ready to fully resume my work for TeamNL, my Foundation and the ABN AMRO World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. Of course it has been a tough time, especially chemotherapy was often difficult. Fortunately, from my top sport life, I was used to working very pragmatically and step by step. That 'mindset' has been very useful to me in recent times: ticking off what I could tick off and always celebrating the positive results. I have felt very much support throughout the period. First of all, of course, through my family Marijn, Dagmar and Jinte - such a little one around you does so much good - and my close family and friends. But also all apps, tickets and bells from colleagues, athletes, coaches, unions, partners of TeamNL, my Foundation and the ABN AMRO World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. Thank you very much for this, it is nice to feel that people sympathize with you. So now look ahead and get to work again, full of energy and with new insights that will undoubtedly come in handy with the beautiful things to come. ”

Esther Vergeer has won 48 Grand Slam tournaments, 23 year-end championships and 7 Paralympics titles. She was the world No. 1 wheelchair tennis player from 1999 until her retirement in February 2013. In singles, she was undefeated since January 2003 and ended her career on a winning streak of 470 matches. She won 148 singles titles including four Paralympic Singles Gold medals, 21 Grand Slam titles and 14 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters. She was also No. 1 for 668 weeks. In doubles, Vergeer won 136 titles, 27 of them coming at the Grand Slams. Vergeer also has three Paralympic gold medals for the doubles.

Esther Vergeer has been nominated six times for the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability, winning it twice, in 2002 and 2008. In October 2010 she posed nude for ESPN The Magazine's annual Body Issue, marking the first time the magazine has featured a disabled athlete in the Body Issue.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2PaILMm