ROLAND GARROS

June 6, 2026

Diede De Groot

Press Conference

D. de GROOT/K. Chasteau

6-1, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. You have just won Roland Garros. What emotions are you feeling right now?

DIEDE de GROOT: I think I'm still in a little bit of disbelief. I wasn't able to win any Grand Slams for the last two years, and then now, to be back on that stage and to get another Grand Slam, it feels very, very special.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Congratulations. Seeing you back with the trophy is excellent. I'm going to mention some names to you. Shingo Kunieda, Esther Vergeer, and yourself, the three players now to have won six or more wheelchair singles title at Roland Garros. How does it feel to be in that company of some of the greats of wheelchair tennis?

DIEDE de GROOT: I mean, celebrating wheelchair tennis for 50 years this year, it already causes a little bit, like, looking back, looking at the history of wheelchair tennis, those names, Shingo, Esther, obviously are legends of the sports.

It's a funny feeling. I'm still playing. I don't feel like a legend yet, and I would never call myself that, anyway. But just knowing that you're part of something very special, it warms my heart.

Q. This is your second Grand Slam final this year. We talked after the disappointment of losing the Australian Open. You talked a lot about how your mentality towards your tennis had changed. How much did that help your run during this year's Roland Garros and this eventual title win?

DIEDE de GROOT: You know, my past year has been so difficult. I have had so many injuries, and then I pushed so hard to get to that Australian Open final. But my shoulder, it was giving up on me, and I really struggled throughout the whole season of hard court, and then my first match playing in Rome, so only three weeks ago after that Australian Open final.

So it feels a little bit surreal. That's why it's so special that I actually managed to win it, I feel like.

I'm mainly just really, really happy that I was able to enjoy it. I didn't think about winning or losing. All I was thinking, okay, I'm gonna play, I'm gonna play, like how I'm training. And I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to work for every shot.

It came out. So, yeah, I'm happy.

Q. First time you have played a home player in the final.

DIEDE de GROOT: Oh, yes.

Q. How did that feel on Suzanne Lenglen?

DIEDE de GROOT: I mean, Ksenia did so well to reach the final. Obviously she's a home player. She's a next gen player. She's doing really, really well.

Yeah, congrats to her for having that run. I'm really sure she's going to make more finals. That's why I told her not to be sad, because she's going to get more opportunities like this.

Obviously Suzanne Lenglen was filled with French people supporting Ksenia. And I knew I had to focus on every point, because if she was going to feel a little bit like of a chance or opportunity, I knew the people would get behind her.

So, yeah, I was, like, No, focus, just on me, don't think about the people.

I mean, in the end, it created such an important and fun and amazing atmosphere that I'm so happy that they were there.

Q. I think you have touched on this to an extent, but do you have a full appreciation now, having gone through the adversity you've gone through with I think the hip and the shoulder and a couple of years between Grand Slams and a tough one here last year, when you were winning so much, do you have a greater appreciation of just how, or does it re-add to the appreciation as to how much this will mean to you?

DIEDE de GROOT: I mean, yeah, I appreciate it so much. I know the work that I have been doing. My medical team at home, at the KNLTB, they have done so well to get me ready for another Grand Slam. And not just ready to play matches, just be ready for a Grand Slam. And that's something else.

Knowing that the work that I had to put in to do all of this, it was tough. Like I said, I was doubting myself a little bit. Why is my body protesting? Why am I not feeling as healthy or fit or playing two matches on a day?

Five years ago, I could play five matches on a day. That's how I felt. Now I feel like my body is telling me, You know what? You're getting a little bit older. Think about your body, treat it well. That was most important for us.

Yeah, it adds so much to this title.

Q. You mentioned those doubts there. Were there ever moments you thought maybe you won't get back to the winner's podium and that you'd have to be happy with what you'd achieved already?

DIEDE de GROOT: Yeah, for sure. I think even some thoughts in my mind went to what am I trying to prove? Like, what am I trying to add to my career? Because it's already been so good. How can I top that? Or how can I -- yeah, maybe, like, feel like I'm adding instead of just breaking down. That's a little bit how it felt the last year.

So, yeah, there were lots of doubts and just trusting the process. Like I said, I was enjoying this week. I was so happy to be on court every time I was playing a match. That's what's most important, and I think that's what I have to keep in mind for the next however long I play tennis.