A few months ago, Ruben Spaargaren’s wheelchair tennis career was hanging by a thread. In October, the 24-year-old Aalsmeerder suffered a hemorrhage in his back, making it questionable whether he would ever return to the tennis court. Last week, optimism returned during the ATP tournament in Rotterdam: “Fortunately my body allowed everything.”
Global tennis stars such as Grigor Dimitrov and Holger Rune shine on the training courts in Ahoy. A few meters further is the court where wheelchair tennis player Ruben Spaargaren is engaged in a vigorous practice session. Together with his coach Michael van den Berg, the foundation is being laid for this year: “It can still be a very good year for Ruben. He works so incredibly hard,” says Van den Berg.
Paralympic ambitions
The Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place in Paris next summer. Spaargaren does not put any pressure on himself, but is still curious about what he can achieve: “I think I will secretly think about medals the week before,” laughs the optimistic wheelchair tennis player. His coach adds that a medal in four years’ time at the next Paralympic Games is more realistic: “I think this year is still a bit too early, but who knows,” says the coach.
Number one
Spaargaren became disabled at the age of eleven, also due to a hemorrhage. When he did wheelchair When he discovered tennis, he quickly rose in the world rankings. He is now number one in the Netherlands. Last year he won the European title. The next goal is clear: “I want to become the best in the world. It may not be possible this year with everything I have experienced, but I will certainly achieve that.”
In Rotterdam, Spaargaren reached the quarter-finals.