Vink: Paralympics 'the highest thing to reach in wheelchair tennis'

Five years ago, Niels Vink was watching wheelchair tennis on the TV. This year, he goes into Tokyo 2020 with a real shot at winning a medal.

The 18-year-old Dutchman, who is currently No. 5 on the quad rankings, set his sights on competing at the Paralympics before he even played a sport competitively.

In an exclusive interview with the ITF, Vink revealed that his mind was made up that he would one day compete at a Games after going with his mother to London 2012. Nine-year-old Niels was right and, along with countryman Sam Schroder, the Dutch pair very much look like the future of quad singles.

Having watched the Rio 2016 Paralympics from the comfort of his own home, the idea that he should now be travelling out to Tokyo is an exciting one for Vink.

"I never thought that five years later I would be playing at the Paralympic Games," he added. "I’m really happy and ready for it.

"It’s the highest thing to reach in wheelchair tennis for me. To play there is a dream."

Vink will be an outside contender for quad singles gold. The favourite for that particular accolade has to be Australia's Dylan Alcott - someone Vink has never defeated.

But in quad doubles, world No. 2 Schroder and world No. 5 Vink will be a formidable partnership.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic wheelchair tennis event starts on Friday 27 August (with the Opening Ceremony of the Games kicking off on Tuesday 24 August). The medal matches are due to take place on 1-4 September.

Click here for more information about the Paralympic schedule