Niels Vink's boyhood dream has come true! For the first time in his young life, the 21-year-old Helmonder won an Olympic gold medal in the singles. In two sets Thursday evening he was too strong for his doubles partner Sam Schröder - with whom he already won the doubles gold on Wednesday.
Right here, right now, it sounded just before the match on the Paris center court. The song by Fatboy Slim was entirely appropriate. This was the moment for Niels, and of course also for his opponent Sam Schröder, the number one in the world. The match they had been looking forward to and working hard towards for years: the Paralympic final.
Pearl of a tennis match
The hundreds of spectators in the stands and many thousands - or maybe even millions, we didn't count them - of viewers were treated to a gem of a tennis match between absolutely the two best quad wheelchair tennis players at the moment. Sam Schroeder was excellent and scored fine points; after a clever lob, Niels even gave a thumbs-up admiringly once. But Niels was just a little better and sharper. He had a dream start by immediately breaking his doubles partner. The next five games also went to the Helmonder, ending the first set 6-0. There was little to criticize.
His best match ever?
It seemed Sam had little interest in losing the second set 6-0 as well. That did not happen. At 1-0 in games for Niels, he broke Niels' service, taking his first game win. But Niels immediately broke back convincingly. And steamed on from there. He played perhaps his best match ever and looked exceptionally sharp and calm, even when match point came closer and closer.
The Moment
And then The Moment was there, at a 5-1 interval. On Sam's serve, Niels took a 15-40 lead: the Gold Medal Point. It was still 30-40, but then it was hit, after Sam hit the ball into the net. Paralympic champion! With moist eyes Niels clenched his fists and turned to his supporters. A hug with Sam followed. A godsend for the photographers: two top players captured in one shot. Also beautiful: the embrace with his parents. Tears flowed. Later in the evening, something else must have been flowing as well, in the land of champagne. What an evening, in Paris!
Niels, congratulations! We are proud of you!
Photos: Screenshots livestream NOS.nl and Mathilde Dusol