Many talented tennis players dream of participating in famous Grand Slam tournaments such as Wimbledon or Roland Garros. Sammie Schouten (16) also wants to do everything she can to break through as a professional. De Bossche recently won the Dutch title in both the singles and doubles in her age category. “It was very exciting and I saw that my grandmother no longer dared to watch.”
Sammie certainly couldn’t look back on a great year. Before the start of the Dutch championship she was only 22nd and therefore certainly not a favorite.
“I had to play against a strong player in the first round and I was happy if I played a good match. However, I won and continued in the subsequent rounds. My whole family came to watch the final. It became very exciting and I saw that my grandmother no longer dared to watch. After falling behind, I fought back and took the title.”
In the doubles tournament, De Bossche achieved a hard-fought victory in the first round together with Senne Janssen from Odiliapeel. “We grew in the tournament and reached the final. Because I had already won the singles title, I stood on the court with a smile. The doubles went smoothly and we became champions.”
“I’ll stick to my plan.”
After a bad year, two national titles, how is that possible? “I like peaking at the right time. I like the pressure that comes with it. I also never give up. In tennis you can always completely turn a match around. If I win, it’s a gift.”
What also plays a role is the structure in her daily life. “I had just finished 5th pre-university education at Rodenborch College and was able to focus more on tennis. The last month before the National Championships I felt good. I will be taking scattered exams over the next two years, which will give me much more time for the sport.”
“I think it would be great to go far in tennis.”
In 2025, she wants to receive her pre-university education diploma and board a plane. “I am going to combine studying in America with tennis at a high level. Talented girls from all over the world come together there. Ultimately I choose what I am going to do. Of course I think it would be great to get as far as possible in tennis.”
Her parents support Sammie in all decisions. “We see how tough it is to do well at school and train a lot. It demands a lot from her, also mentally,” says father Willem. “The fact that she still performs like this is very nice.”
To cover costs such as tournaments at home and abroad, clothing and coaching, Sammie is a crowdfunding started.