Wheelchair tennis player Diede de Groot launches her own Academy

Diede de Groot geeft uitleg aan 2 rolstoeltennis meiden tijdens de Cruijff Foundation Junior Camp 2024

The Diede de Groot Tennis Academy was officially launched this week with the first Junior Camp in Orlando! The Diede de Groot Academy supports young people with physical disabilities through wheelchair tennis around the world. This initiative arose from a desire to let more children experience the power of tennis, because Diede knows better than anyone what tennis can mean for children with disabilities.

With various programs, clinics, and activities, the Academy focuses on creating equal opportunities, boosting self-confidence, and promoting inclusion.

“For years, it has been my wish to give something back to the sport that has given me so much. With the Diede de Groot Academy, I want to make children feel that they can achieve anything, at their own pace and in their own way. Everyone deserves the space to move and have fun,” says Diede. The launch of the Academy is a sustainable step towards an inclusive sports world.

Tennis camp in Orlando
This week, the Diede de Groot Academy’s first project, the Junior Camp, took place in Orlando (US). Fifteen young people who are at the start of a top-level career in wheelchair tennis traveled to Orlando with their coach for this special program. The Junior Camp was made possible by the Cruyff Foundation, in collaboration with the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Groepsfoto Diede de groot Academy kamp Orlando 2025

New ABN AMRO ambassador Diede de Groot to compete in ABN AMRO Open 2026

Diede de Groot, the greatest female wheelchair tennis player of the past decade, will compete in the ABN AMRO Open again in 2026. Winner of the 2023 and 2024 tournaments, she missed the last edition due to injury but is now back in action. The wheelchair tennis tournament for men and women is being held at Rotterdam Ahoy at the same time as the ATP 500 tournament. Diede de Groot is also the new ABN AMRO ambassador for equal opportunities and inclusion.

Tournament Director Esther Vergeer: “Having Diede de Groot join the ABN AMRO Open as both a competitor and ambassador is immensely valuable. Her achievements and personal story are an inspiration to everyone – not just within wheelchair tennis but beyond as well. This tournament is an exceptional and unique world-class event that celebrates the value of sport, providing the best tennis players with the perfect stage to excel. We aim to create a sports world where ambition and talent are given equal opportunities and the same platform.”

An inspiring story: small beginnings, big impact
Diede de Groot first discovered wheelchair tennis through a clinic organised by the Esther Vergeer Foundation. What began as one moment grew into an impressive career as she evolved into the world’s best female wheelchair tennis player. With Grand Slam titles, a gold medal at the Paralympic Games and countless other achievements, Diede inspires people all over the world.

As an ambassador, Diede will work to accelerate equal opportunities for athletes with disabilities. “ABN AMRO has promoted equal opportunities for many years. I am proud to be part of this mission and want to show, together, that sport is accessible to everyone. I’m also thrilled to be able to compete in the tournament again. Winning in 2023 and 2024 has left me hungry for more,” Diede de Groot observes.

Sander Bestevaar, Head of Partnerships, Events & Foundations at ABN AMRO:
“At ABN AMRO, we believe in equal opportunities for everyone with a drive who dares to begin. Diede de Groot is not only an extraordinary athlete, she’s also a strong ambassador for inclusion. We are proud to support her and work together towards a sports world where everyone has the same opportunities to participate and excel.” A new step towards changing the system
As the founder and organiser of the wheelchair tennis tournament, the bank integrated wheelchair tennis into the ABN AMRO Open in 2009. In 2023, the tournament expanded to include a women’s edition, allowing female wheelchair tennis players to compete at the highest level. It all takes place under one name and one roof, with all players provided with equal facilities, such as training courts, locker rooms, the players’ restaurant and accommodation at the Marriott players’ hotel.

ABN AMRO also works to raise awareness around equal opportunities. It has conducted research into the social value of sports for people with physical disabilities (Equal opportunities for athletes with a disability | ABN AMRO) and the media coverage of wheelchair tennis players (ABN AMRO study: wheelchair tennis in the media | ABN AMRO). These insights help break down barriers and build more positive perceptions around athletes with disabilities.

About the ABN AMRO Open
The ABN AMRO Open, held at Rotterdam Ahoy since 1974, is one of the biggest indoor tennis events in the world. The 53rd edition will take place from 7 to 15 February 2026. As well as top-tier tennis it also offers a unique mix of business opportunities, culinary experiences and social initiatives.

Orange Bowl to host 2025 ITF Wheelchair Tennis Junior Masters

Diede de Groot gooit op voor de service

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) Wheelchair Tennis Junior Masters will be held at
the Orange Bowl International Championships (11-14 December) for the first time.

As the premier season-ending championships for the world’s best junior wheelchair players,
the event has launched the careers of some of the sport’s biggest stars. Past champions
include Alfie Hewett, Tokito Oda, Diede de Groot, and Niels Vink all of whom have gone on
to achieve international success at the highest levels.

The Wheelchair Tennis Junior Masters has previously been held at Les Petits As, in Tarbes,
France and plays a key role in the development of junior wheelchair tennis. Building on that
legacy, the ITF is moving the tournament to the Orange Bowl to further evolve the junior
wheelchair division and provide the best possible experience for players.

The date of the Orange Bowl event also avoids a clash with the Australian Open Junior
Championships and ensures the season’s top-ranked juniors remain eligible to compete,
while aligning the U18 categories with the ITF junior division.

David Haggerty, ITF President, said: “Bringing the Wheelchair Tennis Junior Masters to the
Orange Bowl represents a major milestone for junior wheelchair tennis. This prestigious
stage has a long history of developing future champions, and by hosting our top junior
players here, we are providing them with an environment that challenges, inspires, and
elevates their game. It also reflects the ITF’s ongoing commitment to creating meaningful
opportunities and pathways for the next generation of wheelchair tennis stars, ensuring they
have every chance to compete, learn, and succeed at the highest levels”.

In 2025, the girls’ draw will expand from four to eight players, with the top seven boys and
top seven girls from the ITF Junior Rankings qualifying, plus one wildcard per draw. Players
will compete in round-robin groups of four, followed by finals and playoff matches.

Ahead of the tournament, the ITF will host a development camp for the 16 qualifying players
at the USTA National Campus in Orlando in partnership with the Cruyff Foundation and
multiple Grand Slam champion, Diede de Groot, who will provide mentoring to both players
and coaches.

The Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships, originally founded in 1947, has a
storied history of shaping tennis stars. By bringing the Wheelchair Junior Masters to this
prestigious stage, the ITF gives junior wheelchair players the same spotlight as other rising
stars of the sport.

Diede De Groot, said: “I’m really looking forward to training and coaching the young players
in Orlando, and I look forward to sharing tips on what it takes to become a top player and
hopefully inspire them.”

Jo Wallen, Managing Director, National & Global Events, USTA, said: “The USTA is
committed to integrating wheelchair tennis at the highest levels of the sport and we could not
be more excited to bring the Wheelchair Tennis Junior Masters to the Orange Bowl. This move reaffirms the Orange Bowl’s status as one of the world’s most prominent junior
tennis events and strengthens its legacy as a springboard for the sport’s rising stars”.

Doug Wiley, Chair of Orange Bowl’s Tennis Committee, said: “We are extremely honoured to
host the Wheelchair Tennis Junior Masters at the Orange Bowl International Tennis
Championships, providing a world-class stage for these incredible young athletes. This move
reflects our commitment to growing the game and celebrating the next generation of tennis
stars.”

No longer obsessed with winning

The step from “I’m allowed to play again” to actually competing in a tournament may seem small, but it’s anything but. My body needs to handle the intensity again. That takes time and careful rebuilding. My body has changed, so my wheelchair needs to be adjusted (it’s almost ready, luckily). In the meantime, I’m working on rhythm, structure, and training both body and mind. Because being mentally ready for pressure on court is just as important. So many small steps, ones that may look minor from the outside, but in reality, are anything but.

Where I finished in orange in Paris, I made my return at the World Team Cup. Proudly competing under the Dutch flag, surrounded by a supportive team. Since then, I’ve played a few more tournaments. And slowly but surely, I’m starting to feel it again, how it works, how it feels. But with a different perspective than before.

The search for adjustments is ongoing. But by now, I’m certain: this is the path I’ve chosen consciously. I’m searching, I’m pushing, but I’m also trying to see things differently, to experience it all in a new way, and to learn from what’s been.

TEAMNL followed me closely. In part 3 of the documentary, I share my journey back, the doubts, the steps, the growth. No filters, no polish, just the real story. Watch part 3 of the documentary now.

A heartfelt thank you to TEAMNL for the beautiful series Comeback Loading. I look back with pride on how I’ve approached this period and I’m grateful for how honestly and openly it’s been portrayed.

2025 Wheelchair World Team Cup, 8 May 2025 in Antalya. Diede De Groot (NED). (Photo by Frank Molter)

I couldn’t escape the pain

Source: Linkedin Diede

After the Paralympic Games, I underwent major surgery. And then… everything came to a halt. No tennis, no routine, no coach, no tournaments. But what I got in return turned out to be valuable, too. I had to slow down, to recover, to reflect. To enjoy life beyond the tennis court and the high-performance bubble, even take a proper holiday. And then, that familiar feeling returned… I wanted to get back on court. The best part? I was finally cleared by the doctors to start again. But with that desire came new uncertainties. How do I approach this? Who can guide me on court? How will people view my comeback? It became a journey, one that’s still unfolding.

TeamNL followed me closely. In part 2 of the documentary, I share my road back, the doubts, and everything you don’t usually see. No filters, no polish, just the real story.  Watch part 2 of the documantary now 

I’ve completely lost myself

Source: LinkedIn Diede

In recent years, I’ve experienced career highs I could only dream of as an athlete. But even during those golden moments, injuries and mental challenges were never far away.
The lead-up to the Paralympic Games in Paris became my toughest test yet. Physically and mentally, I had to face the reality: something had to change. And here I am now, ten months later. How do you rebuild as an elite athlete from zero back to one hundred percent? That process is still ongoing.

TEAMNL followed me closely. In part 1 of the documentary, I share my journey, doubts, and behind-the-scenes struggles with honesty and vulnerability. No filters, no polish, just the real story. Watch part 1 of the documentary now.

Foto: Carolien Visser

Sports team for the century

Diede de groot poseert bij tennisnet

Recently, Diede had the honor of participating in a unique and forward-thinking initiative: the Team for the Century. A program where elite sports and social responsibility come together, with the goal of contributing to a future-proof sports world, a more sustainable planet, and greater awareness of climate change.

At first, Diede believed that taking action for the climate was a choice. But after just the first day of the program, which focused on the current state of the climate, she realized: it’s no longer a choice. It’s a responsibility. For Diede, that responsibility lies especially with biodiversity. She grew up on a farm, surrounded by bees and flowers, immersed in nature. And biodiversity is one of the most severely affected planetary pillars.

What makes this initiative so valuable to her is that it goes beyond simply sharing knowledge. It challenges athletes not only to excel in their sport, but also to use their voice. How can they create impact? How can their stories inspire others to act? Diede sees it as her mission to show as many people and sports clubs as possible that small changes in daily life can lead to a big impact.

With thanks to the National Climate Platform, TU Delft, More2Win, and the many experts who shared their knowledge. While the educational program has now concluded, for Diede, this is just the beginning. Together with her fellow participants, she is turning insight into action.

Diede Embarks on a New Path with Coach Dennis Sporrel

Wheelchair tennis champion Diede de Groot has a new coach: Dennis Sporrel. After an intense and successful ten-year partnership with Amanda Hopmans, De Groot has decided to bring a fresh perspective into her team. Together with Sporrel, she will prepare for and compete in upcoming international tournaments over the coming months.

“I’m incredibly grateful for everything I’ve achieved with Amanda. We’ve shared a truly special journey,” said De Groot. “At the same time, this feels like the right moment for something new. I’m really looking forward to working with Dennis.”

Dennis Sporrel is also excited about the new collaboration: “Diede is a unique athlete with an impressive track record. I’m honored to work with her and eager to see what we can accomplish together.”

With this step, Diede de Groot embarks on a new chapter in her remarkable tennis career.

In the coming weeks, Diede will compete in the grass court tournaments in Eastbourne and the British Open, before heading to Wimbledon (July 8–13) to defend her title.

Source foto: KNLTB

Holland Herald-magazine

“Elite sports can sometimes feel like an obsession. Because I was so used to winning, I really had to learn how to deal with my loss in Paris. But that was exactly the valuable lesson.”

You can find this and more in the column ‘The Flying Dutchman’ in Holland Herald magazine. Have you flown with KLM recently? Then you might have already spotted the interview!

A great opportunity to share my story and to give adaptive sports a bigger stage. Super proud of the result!

Photo: Anne Timmer