Wheelchair Tennis: Esther Vergeer vs. Jiske Griffioen

[jchneo26]

they must have hercules arms, that would take so much outta u its ridiculous

[GoFedererWoo]

Surely this sport would be made better if the chairs were motorised, and the players had their racquets in one hand and a Wii style movement controller in the other, moving their chair?

[Terrakinetic]

So it's wrong for people who aren't disabled to play wheelchair tennis?

[amb817]

When im watching a regular tennis match of one of the grand slams, there's always a scroll at the bottom saying stuff about wheelchair tennis, but ive never seen them broadcast it until now. Thank you for posting this:)

[cain2335]

damn there's some strategy to this

[djrichardgrant]

Obviously I didnt have super high hopes considering the limitations of being in a wheelchair, but somehow I expected it to be a little more exciting than this. Its truly dull to watch. Fair enough its great for them that they have not let their disability overcome them and have found something to do that they enjoy, but as a spectator sport if fails on every single level. Id deserve more respect than the players if I managed to sit & spectate the duration of a match without falling asleep.

[ARZ1987]

they should let esther play on the men's tour. She would probably win the majority of her matches still

[Fendori]

this is so boring

[RebCha93]

She is a legend.

[cathead19869]

the ballboys should be in chairs too!

[PKVCMOSS]

she has won 444 games in a row.

[DelJuvePiero]

Respect.

[iPwn411]

They play tennis better than i EVER will. Proud the human race has evolved in it's mentality towards those with differences!

[samkooool]

you can create more power by turning while u hit like you would turn ur body as you hit

[ductrung3993]

that's 10 times better than me

[Tigerkev101]

@Jadervason it was out

[Jadervason]

I don't understand why it wasn't a point at 0:56

[ajuk1]

Why not play swingball?

[R055YC]

Thumbs up if that Manc twat with a head like a fucking orange brought you here

[Raxmole]

i cant even do it without a wheelchair ... really inspirational athletes imho

[TheJJRecording]

Great footwork

[1KRI11]

I'd like to try playing in a wheelchair one day.....probably'll end up pooped....

[pininfrna]

Tennis really just doesn't work as a wheelchair sport. Basketball kind of does.

[llagin1234]

give em a game of swingball

[oneilexpress]

@llagin1234 Hit it... net.

[R055YC]

@oneilexpress head like a fucking orange

[oneilexpress]

@R055YC You round headed baffoon.

[R055YC]

@oneilexpress the chinese look older

[oneilexpress]

@R055YC I've always wanted to kick a duck up the arse.

[Rummingin]

@oneilexpress There just isnt a decent rally going

[ebaysutube]

The most interesting thing about this, are the comments here... Some real ignorance out there among all you TABs (Temporarily Able-Bodied). Some of these comments take the prize as the dumbest ever.

[dtv2031]

This is really inspiring. Major props to Vergeer.

[deadagain33]

So the ball can bounce twice in wheelchair tennis?

[daniel355273]

@deadagain33 Yep, and the 2nd bounce can be outside. Would be too hard for them otherwise

[deadagain33]

@daniel355273

Ah okay, thanks.

[Maarty7658]

Respect!

[WalrusesGunWild]

im guessing the reciever has the advantage in wheel chair tennis judging from this match

[jrobinson3k1]

well this is extremely boring to watch...

[nick13108126]

just keep playing drop shots

[tommybuurt]

that 1st backhand crosscourt winner. ..... DAMN! on some federer shit there

[iMidnightSkies]

This is just hilarious

[Roby32888]

Vergeer is undefeated in 418 matches since 2003, she blows Federer and Nadal out of the water.

[barni767]

@Roby32888 still bet she couldn't beat them

[LynX9207]

@Roby32888 Federer and Nadal can walk. case closed. saying Nadal and Federer would get beat by someone who is using all their strength to get speed to even TRY to return the ball is ridiculous ... it's like saying someone in a wheelchair can go faster than someone running full speed.. just would not happen unless downhill.. retard.

[ChunkyTomster53]

Jesus that would be so much harder than regular tennis :S and the thing is they would probably wipe the floor with me!

[ExpertiseGamer]

still, they could probably beat me on their wheelchair with me on my legs

[walterchamber]

its great to see them not being held back just because they are in a wheelchair.

[googleboughtmee]

there must be things these people are more suited to doing. most of us with 2 working legs still suck at tennis and try to pretend we can compete at it.

[ExpertiseGamer]

lawl 0:35 noob ace

[makgirling]

@ExpertiseGamer they can't put any power into the serve through their legs, of course they're gonna hit it slow

[ExpertiseGamer]

hahaha this is funny I wanna see one of them dive out of their wheelchairs to hit the ball

[luclfersangel616]

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[vIrtuaLLLLLLLLL]

wow incredible to see that there are people enough determined to practice such an hard sport even if they're disabled... Applause them for doing this!

[MyEvilLaugh]

@vIrtuaLLLLLLLLL yea, a standing ovation

[OnlinePokerCowboy]

@vIrtuaLLLLLLLLL I know ur trying to be nice, but this is the last thing disabled people want to hear...

The very worst thing u can do is give them ur pitty, they dont want it and probably feel sorry for u more than u do them in alot of cases. I have a friend whos an awseome poker player at the casino in a wheelchair, his response is 'why wouldnt i be out clubbing?', or 'why wouldnt i play sport?'. Making obvious adjustments or saying 'ur so brave' etc is condicending and isulting to them.

[vIrtuaLLLLLLLLL]

@OnlinePokerCowboy lol i'm simply impressed by their performance

[scbaldwin13]

wow really umpire, that shot was clearly on the line at the end.

[c0untd00ku26]

this is actually really great, they're extraordinarily talented for how hard it might be

[LocoArms]

if you know how to do a drop shot, that means you should win any wheelchair tennis match. Am I the only one thinking this?

[Cory221989]

@LocoArms They get two bounces in wheechair tennis so the drop shot is basically obsolete.

[LocoArms]

@Cory221989

I didn't know that. Dang. I'd probably lose at that then.

[WintersEndOfficial]

@LocoArms

no...youre not the only one haha

[mursu93]

she should play with guys... she would do fine also there i think

[MakeMarcAMillion]

i'm amazed by this. the upper body strength they must have in addition to the co-ordination.

[TheTuktuk42]

If you had a deadly serve you'd be unstoppable

[bertvanr]

lame sport is lame

[manco82]

I'd like to see how well Federer plays in a wheelchair.

[furcal101]

What's better than winning a gold medal at the paralympics? Not being fucking retarded!

[cussy182]

@furcal101 What's better than making fun of the handicapped? Not being a fucking jerk.

[MrVFishV]

@furcal101 They're disabled or crippled, not retarded. Asshole

[MarcWilsonBlackburn]

@furcal101 What a dick.

[calugcug21]

@furcal101 what's worse than burning in hell, being furcal101. BITCH

[mechkapechka]

0:14 don't the ball bounced twice ?

[TomNUFC1991]

@mechkapechka Yeah, the ball can bounce twice in wheelchair tennis.

[mechkapechka]

@TomNUFC1991 twice not more ? in normal tennis the ball can bounce once maximum here twice ?

[TomNUFC1991]

@mechkapechka Yes, a maximum of two bounces in wheelchair tennis. Search "Wheelchair Tennis" on Wikipedia.

[johhnyringolevio]

boooooooooring

[MrAwesomeBoss101]

so boring to watch each point is like 5 secounds

[zeffie]

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING is sad about this. So what if they are in wheelchairs? Look at how succesful their lives are, and the ability or talent they have developed even in spite of their disability or challenge presented to them, they overcome it. Life is full of people that can easily tell you that you can't, regardless of who you are. I say, you just discard those people and move on doing what you know you can do, regardless of what others think. That is EXACTLY what should be the attitude

[TheCoalescent]

This makes me sad.

[MrHymeedesign]

@TheCoalescent Why? I can't stand this attitude of pity towards people who aren't "perfect". "You have no legs therefore your life must be truly horrible. I will feel sorry for you." It's incredibly condescending. Pity helps no one. These people have achieved something great in their lives in spite of their disability, and I'm assuming that your sadness wasn't the reaction they were aiming for.

[TheCoalescent]

@MrHymeedesign You're the condescending self richeous asshole that is assuming they all feel the same and can't fight their own battles. By typing those little words you believe are so brilliantly formed, you contradicted yourself.

[MrHymeedesign]

@TheCoalescent "Asshole" was a bit harsh, but at least it was spelt right. Not sure what "self richeous" is.

Where exactly do I state that I believe that they can't fight their own battles and that they "all feel the same"? I have read and reread my post and nowhere does it even allude to this. I said that these people have achieved something great in spite of their disability and that feeling pity really doesn't do anyone any favours. Not you and not them. Do you not agree?

[TheCoalescent]

@MrHymeedesign Somehow me saying "This makes me sad." alluded to I pity all the paraplegics in the universe for not accomplishing anything. So I must assume you want to feel superior over everybody and be the voice for the wheelchair tennis community. I'm sure that would help you sleep at night, knowing that because that somebody who must reread their bawling from 40 minutes ago over and over again is defending the dignity of disabled people all over the world, is in fact you.

[MrHymeedesign]

@TheCoalescent Exactly. See, now we're on the same page.

[goodcommentguy]

wow, it's just amazing that they can do all this from wheelchairs when I have trouble playing with my own two feet! haha

[xneverwalkalonex]

@footballfullback

yeah, twice, but as someone i saw in another video yesterday said, a lot of the time they dont need that rule.

[metalrat9000]

A couple of years ago I was in a gas station mini mart paying for my gas. I saw a guy coming from his vehicle in a wheel chair. I was gonna open the door for him after I got my change, but before I could get to the door he opened it with one arm and darted through like it was nothing. I told him I was gonna open the door for him but he beat me to it. Told him I was impressed. He just smiled and said......."Lotsa practrice."

[xneverwalkalonex]

@metalrat9000

LOl im a wheelchair user too and the lotsa practice line is my response a lot. i mean, its true, to an able bodied person it might seem difficult for a disabled person to do things like opening doors but you have to remember weve more often than not been disabled all our lives, you learn to live with it, you learn to adapt, opening doors to me is nothing, ive just developed a way to do it from a wheelchair, somehow, never thought about how, i just do, its all about adapting

[metalrat9000]

@xneverwalkalonex You summed it up with one word. Adapting. Your attitude is inspiring.

[dodododa]

Why not do a drop shot serve?

[rox1317]

they can beat me any time just sitting there... Imagine what they could do if they could run!

[lordtufty]

FAIL

[Slimold]

How can anyone feel sad or pity these tennis players. Surely the players are fine with their condition or they probably would not be able to compete at such a high level of competition.  I don't feel sad or pity, I just feel a sense of respect because they have exceled in their sport all the way to the olympics.

[b4roqu3]

shit, even i cant serve.

[tennisproderek]

ya dude vergeer is a beast. shes like undefeated. she always wins in doubles and singles for all grand slams

[srproductions123]

This is amazing that they can do this but you have to admit it's a little funny the way they hot the ball. But still it's amazing that they cam play tennis in a wheelchair, really cool actually lol

[gg2000gg2000]

these people have better footwork then me!

[MrMilehigh2000]

this is just awesome!

[chrisrocks9467]

I can't believe some of the people who have commented on this video. These players have suffered so much in their life, yet they have showed courage and determination to carry on with the sport they love. We should be cheering on their wonderful efforts, not degrading them or calling what they do boring. YOU try being put in a wheelchair and then play tennis.

[f1fan84]

this is a fucking joke man.. i have nothing against handicap ppl n i bet playing ...."that" its hard ... but this shit its too funny i feel bad cuz i laughed at this ...but i cant help it . this is some serious comedy...

[mbwashere1]

@f1fan84 It's not comedy, It's hard work, and don't you laugh, because I totally feel sorry for them, your just another one who doesn't care about disabled people.

[MichaelStuttaford]

@mbwashere1 they dont want you feeling sorry for them

[mbwashere1]

@MichaelStuttaford Oh really?

[f1fan84]

@mbwashere1 ya me too i feel bad for them ... this is a friggin joke man , i would rather see blind people play tennis

this is pathetic

[bananatree1234567]

@f1fan84 sadly, i have to agree with you man =/ i don't think it's comedy at all, but watching this makes me fucking sad, this doesn't have anything to do with tennis anymore.. but whatever, i guess it's good that disabled people are still able to participate in sports in this way

[dingoDogMan]

this is where the drop shot comes in handy

[tentuntulip1]

wad? they get double bounces?

[MrRobert1104]

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHA

[aznboi1398]

They just have to hit it and they win

[7FJM]

Not really exiting..

[20gattenon10]

do they go the the sides for the rest like normal players ?

[pocketsearch]

This is so cool!!!

[hairbrush33]

lol they can't walk

[Majiwe24]

@hairbrush33 what a douche.

[bertvanr]

@hairbrush33 lmao

[OSXHD]

Not exactly spectator sport.. they just hit it the opposite side to beat each other..

[nuttens]

6 people dislike life

[Xzy666]

@nuttens Or they might just dislike the fact that it's boring and seems mostly luck.

[26l8l94]

lol "just hit it to the other side, theyll never be able to return" xD

[zubeelink]

@26l8l94 Thats tight but funny

[Kazu0108]

Never seen wheelchair tennis before but I was so amazed watching this..

They show that a person can do anything if s/he has will and hope.

Good to know that I will still be able to play tennis even if I lose my legs.

[sjdb9]

@Kazu0108 Yeah do anything. Like play hop scotch :D

[NippleCripple91]

This match was exausting, i bet they couldn't stand on their legs after it...

[muarkatznii]

haha, fail, they let the ball bounce two times...?!?!!??!

[jackbenimble7]

That is fuckin gnarly, unbelievable

[elicobar]

does anyone know how many times can the ball bounce in wheelchair tennis??

[ThomasJChoi7]

@elicobar Twice.

[poiuzttrewq]

@elicobar : 2 times max

[TheForsakenReject930]

Darn u gotta have lots of muscles to be able to play in a wheelchair

[krabby4000]

i would be so tired using my arms for everything. good thing for them aye

[whattubeaccount]

esther plays better than everyone, period.

[DandyRandy822]

I have never heard of her and this is the first video I have seen and I am so impressed! God Bless her and all the others who participate in sports!

[aassyr1111]

BORING

[snoozealoo]

@aassyr1111

Fuck you

[aassyr1111]

@snoozealoo  fuck you too bro :)

[dietsnapple89]

much respect, I was wondering how wheelchair tennis would work but I guess it is much more manageable since they dont have a one bounce rule

[maddash24seven]

No offense, but what's the point in this if you can just return the ball in the opposite direction of the court with no hope of carrying volley because the person is in a wheelchair and can't cover the distance?

[javiamerlna]

@maddash24seven -_- Seriously?

[bozsurfco]

@maddash24seven I think we have a winner for the Asshole of the Year Award

[alexlagache]

To this day, Esther Vergeer has not lost a match since 2003 ! That's 390 matchs !

[theatlantean1]

@alexlagache With those kind of numbers, her and Federer are the two most dominant players the sport has ever seen. She has 15 Grand Slam titles; Fed has 16. However, she was absent from 4 of them, and the other years they didn't hold the event. She could easily have another 15 slams, totalling somewhere around 30 by now. She's only lost one time in ALL of the Slams she's played. Now that's incredible. Plus, she's beautiful :-). She should write a book on mental toughness & grace.

Beauty!

[javiamerlna]

@alexlagache Now she is in 396!!! :)

[1rd69]

@alexlagache It has now become 405-match winning streak since January 2003 !!

[runetotem]

Gotta say I'm impressed.

I searched for this because I couldn't imagine how you would manage to play tennis in a wheelchair, but they're really good.

[bacchamae]

I LOVE tennis, but I doubt that I can even get the ball to get through the net even while standing.

[ikemstar]

What a great sport... why isn't it televised? :-(

[Valdinsh]

I truly admire these people. What passion for life and all the other activities people do they have. This should serve as encouragement for everyone who feels down and not confident in oneself.

[PargasianDude]

all this is so embarrising. please, don't show it on television

[BBCWorldwideLtd]

@PargasianDude stuf.

[BBCWorldwideLtd]

@PargasianDude stfu

[dotmacis]

@PargasianDude What's so embarrassing about people playing tennis?? So what if they're in wheelchairs?? They can still play sports even though their legs don't work, and they're probably WAY better tennis players than you are.

[WillsMlb]

if i played, only play drop shots and lobs:p or id hit it as hard as i can directly at the wheel chair:p

[therealsolstice]

what's the rule on bounces? is it allowed to bounce 2 or 3 times? or is it unlimited bounces until it bounces outside the court?

[MrAntifunctional]

it seems that it is

[xneverwalkalonex]

@therealsolstice

the balls allowed to bounce twice

[DIANAROSS4EVER]

I love people with initiative, they get paralythic? No problem they become wheelchair tennis' number 1 and they are unbeaten for 390 weeks, just WOW.

[polipoli7]

if they can walk they must be better than the serena brothers

[MrSPORTnSTUFF]

looks like hard work i commend them

[elbarridor]

fault bitch!!!

[jaday89]

give them a game of swingball or something.

[91Holdem]

im not having a go but for wheelchair tennis maybe a smaller court size would be better than full size but like i say im not having a go

[caramelizeme]

this is always hard to watch, but good game

[lordtufty]

Double bounce?

is that allowed in crip-tennis?

[JSJ07]

@lordtufty shut up and give some respect to them for overcoming their disabilities

[arnoldlayne1991]

@lordtufty phwoar!

[TheDuzzit]

@lordtufty Yes it is. Conscidering its a little harder for them to get to the ball in time to return it in one bounce.

Plus show some respect!

[MrBobbieAndonov]

god bless them

[aaaaaaleon]

its always either return ace or serve ace...= =