Sem Verbeek has made tennis history by becoming the first Dutchman to win the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon. Teaming up with Czech partner Katerina Siniaková, the duo defeated Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Brazil’s Luisa Stefani in straight sets, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3).
It was the pair’s first tournament together. The victory puts Verbeek, 31, in the footsteps of Betty Stöve, who won the title twice in 1978 and 1981 alongside South African Frew McMillan. Earlier this year, Verbeek reached the men’s doubles semi-finals at the Australian Open.
During the trophy ceremony on Centre Court, Verbeek asked the crowd to applaud fellow Dutch player Tim van Rijthoven, who was forced to retire from professional tennis this week. “He was a big inspiration for me and I know he has fond memories of this court,” he said.
Verbeek also expressed his regrets at a change in format at the US Open that means he and Siniakova will be unable to play there together. This year the US Open is holding its mixed doubles competition as a standalone event in an attempt to attract top singles players to participate.
The move means the most doubles specialists will miss out on playing in the mixed competition in New York. “I’m not going to actively root against it for it not to be a success… But as a doubles athlete, my heart is bleeding,” he told the BBC.
Dutch hopes continue at Wimbledon on Saturday, when David Pel and his Australian partner Rinky Hijikata will compete in the men’s doubles final against Britain’s Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool.
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