Wheelchair tennis star Esther Vergeer diagnosed with breast cancer

Jan 22, 2020
Pick of the Day

Monte-Carlo Betting Preview: Lorenzo Musetti vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas

By Zachary Cohen Apr 10, 2025
ATP Monte Carlo, Monaco

Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Lorenzo Musetti: Where to Watch, Monte Carlo Preview, Betting Odds

By Steve Tignor Apr 10, 2025
Lifestyle

Rafael Nadal’s shirt from his career Grand Slam-completing victory in 2010 is available for auction

By Liya Davidov Apr 10, 2025
ATP Monte Carlo, Monaco

Grigor Dimitrov vs. Alex De Minaur: Where to Watch, Monte Carlo Preview, Betting Odds

By Steve Tignor Apr 10, 2025
ATP Monte Carlo, Monaco

Carlos Alcaraz vs. Arthur Fils: Where to Watch, Monte Carlo Preview, Betting Odds

By Steve Tignor Apr 10, 2025
Ranking Reaction

Jannik Sinner is guaranteed to still be ranked No. 1 when he comes back to the tour in Rome

By John Berkok Apr 10, 2025
ATP Monte Carlo, Monaco

The battle of the ball mark: Will we miss that unique piece of clay-court theater?

By Steve Tignor Apr 10, 2025
Lifestyle

Beep, beep! Elena Rybakina has finally gotten her driver's license

By Baseline Staff Apr 10, 2025
ATP Monte Carlo, Monaco

Carlos Alcaraz to face in-form Arthur Fils on tough day for seeds at Monte Carlo Masters

By Associated Press Apr 10, 2025

Wheelchair tennis star Esther Vergeer diagnosed with breast cancer

The 38-year-old Dutch, who retired in 2013, won 25 Grand Slam titles, four Paralympic singles gold medals and three doubles golds.

Published Jan 22, 2020

Wheelchair tennis star Esther Vergeer diagnosed with breast cancer

Advertising

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Esther Vergeer, the retired Dutch wheelchair tennis star who had a winning streak of 470 matches during her record-breaking career, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Vergeer announced the diagnosis in a tweet Wednesday, saying her “full focus will be on the treatment and healing of the cancer. Full of positive energy and with the support of my family, friends and colleagues, I will go for it. I am sure I will get through this!”

The 38-year-old Vergeer has used a wheelchair since she was 8, when an operation to correct hemorrhaging around her spinal cord left her paraplegic.

She took up wheelchair tennis and strung together a list of titles that led Richard Krajicek, the 1996 Wimbledon champion, to call her “perhaps the most successful sportsperson of all time.”

Her winning streak lasted from 2003-2012. During that time she won 25 Grand Slam titles, four Paralympic singles gold medals and three doubles golds.

Vergeer is the leader of the Dutch team for the Tokyo Paralympics Games, which open on Aug. 25.