Sep 12, 2021 - Sports

De Groot completes first ever Golden Slam in wheelchair tennis

Ivana Saric

Diede de Groot of the Netherlands holds up her U.S. Open trophy. Photo: Elsa/Getty Images

Dutch tennis player Diede de Groot became the first athlete to complete the Golden Slam in wheelchair tennis after a victory-making win at the U.S. Open on Sunday.

Why it matters: "No wheelchair tennis player had ever before completed the feat" of winning all four major tournaments in one year plus the Paralympic gold medal, according to the press release.

The big picture: Adding to de Groot's history-making win is the fact that her Tokyo Paralympic gold medal match took place only four days before the start of the U.S. Open.

De Groot beat Japan's Yui Kamiji Sunday in a rematch of their finals game in Tokyo, per Reuters.

What they're saying: "I just can't wait to go home, celebrate it with my family, friends, everyone that has supported me in the past few weeks. I know a lot of people have been watching," De Groot said in the press release.

"It's just great to see how so many things are possible," she added. "To be the first one to actually get that title is just so special. I don't think I will ever forget that."

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De Groot completes first ever Golden Slam in wheelchair tennis

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