Most memorable sporting moment?

Working trackside at the London 2012 Olympics when Usain Bolt sealed gold for Jamaica in the 4×100 m relay final. However, watching Richard Krajicek win Wimbledon comes a very close second!

Fondest career memory?

Starting to work for the Dutch Tennis Federation on 1 April 1990 was a dream come true—a job I have now held for 28 years.

If someone were to write a hashtag about you, what would it be?

#readyforachallenge

#alwayscheerful

#tennisdoc

Average weekday morning?

My work is very varied, so I do not follow the same routine every day, but I do like a cup of tea with the newspaper every morning!

How have you aimed to contribute to the field of sport and exercise medicine?

My goal has been to extend scientific rigour to tennis medicine globally (to make it more evidence based) and to promote the health benefits of tennis to clinicians and the general public.

Who is your hero?

My number one hero and the most important person in my life is my mom, a really kind, modest and wise person. She encouraged me to follow my dreams and play the sports I loved, which included getting a black belt in judo and trying the tennis circuit in the US. She fully supported me in all my endeavours to pursue a career in sports medicine, even though the specialty did not yet exist in those days, and I love her dearly.

Skill that’s served you the most in your career?

Determination

Best ‘career move’?

When I was in my fifth year of high school, I was offered the opportunity to apply for a scholarship in the USA. I signed up for it, not really knowing what it all entailed, but it sounded exciting. I passed all the tests, got the scholarship and had one of the best years …