Lizzy De Greef Bio
Lizzy De Greef (born 7 April 2004) is a Dutch wheelchair tennis player who has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in the international para-sport circuit. Born in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands, she combines right-handed play with a one-handed backhand, a smooth and fluid technique that has earned her a place among the elite competitors of her generation. As of July 2024, she held a singles world ranking of No. 8 and a doubles ranking of No. 14, marks that reflect her rapid climb from promising junior to established professional.
De Greef first reached the World No. 1 spot in junior singles in February 2020, an achievement that announced her arrival on the global stage while she was still a teenager. Across her career, she has collected 18 career singles titles and 9 career doubles titles, results that underline her consistency and her ability to perform across varied surfaces and tournaments. She turned professional in 2019 and has since built a reputation for steady improvement, technical poise, and a competitive spirit shaped by personal resilience.
Early Life and Background
Lizzy De Greef was born on 7 April 2004 in Alphen aan den Rijn, a town in the South Holland province of the Netherlands. She was born with a clubfoot, a congenital condition that affects the structure of the foot and ankle, and as a result she faced mobility challenges from birth. When she was eleven years old, she underwent surgery to have her right lower leg amputated, a medical decision that ultimately reshaped the course of her life.
Her recovery and rehabilitation became the foundation for her future in sport. After her surgery, she discovered wheelchair tennis and began training in the discipline in 2015, only a short time after her operation. The sport offered her a path to competitive athletics, and her quick adaptation on the court demonstrated both natural athletic talent and a determined mindset that would later define her professional career.
Growing up in the Netherlands, a country with a strong tradition in wheelchair tennis and a deep competitive tennis culture overall, gave De Greef access to quality coaching and a supportive sporting community. Her early years in the sport allowed her to develop her game steadily, building the technical foundation that would later support her ascent through the junior and senior rankings.
Path to Wheelchair Tennis
De Greef’s entry into wheelchair tennis began with focused training from 2015 onward, following her surgery and recovery. The early years of her career were dedicated to mastering the fundamentals of the sport, including the unique movement patterns of the wheelchair game and the tactical demands of competitive match play. Her progress was notable, and within a few years she had developed into one of the top junior prospects in the world.
In February 2020, she reached the World No. 1 ranking in junior singles, a milestone that confirmed her status as a leading figure in her age group. Her rapid rise was supported by consistent tournament results and a growing confidence on court. The junior No. 1 ranking came at a time when she was preparing to transition into the senior professional circuit, giving her valuable momentum heading into her first full seasons on tour.
She turned professional in 2019, taking the step into the senior ranks while still competing successfully at the junior level. This dual pathway allowed her to gain experience against more established players while continuing to develop her game against peers her own age. Her smooth transition from junior stardom to professional competition has been a defining feature of her young career.
Lizzy De Greef Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Lizzy De Greef turned professional in 2019 and quickly began accumulating results on the international wheelchair tennis circuit. Her early professional years were marked by a steady stream of titles and a growing presence in main draws of major events. During this period she established herself as a serious competitor, building a record that combined technical consistency with the mental toughness required at the top level of the sport.
The highlight of this early phase came in February 2020, when she reached the World No. 1 position in junior singles. The achievement underscored her dominance among her age group and gave her valuable experience competing and winning at the highest junior level before fully stepping into the senior ranks on a permanent basis.
Wimbledon Breakthrough (2023–2024)
De Greef made her Wimbledon debut in the doubles event during 2024, advancing to the quarterfinals and confirming her ability to compete at the highest level of the sport. Her movement on grass and her partnership play were notable strengths during the tournament, and the result represented a significant step forward in her doubles career. The doubles quarterfinal at Wimbledon was one of several strong showings she produced during the 2024 season.
In singles, she reached a career-high ranking of No. 7 on 4 March 2024, a position that reflected her run of consistent results across the calendar. Her current ranking of No. 8, as of 8 July 2024, places her among the established players on the women’s wheelchair tennis tour and highlights her continued progress in the singles discipline.
Grand Slam Performances (2023–2024)
De Greef made her Grand Slam singles debut at the 2023 US Open, where she reached the first round of the main draw. The following year, she advanced to the quarterfinals of the French Open in 2024, a notable result on clay and a sign of her growing comfort on slower surfaces. Her ability to progress deep into Grand Slam draws reflects her tactical maturity and her capacity to perform under the pressure of the sport’s biggest stages.
In doubles, she has enjoyed even deeper runs at the Grand Slam level, reaching the quarterfinals at the 2023 US Open and the 2024 Wimbledon. Her Grand Slam doubles results also include quarterfinal appearances at the Australian Open in 2024, demonstrating her versatility and her ability to compete across all four major tournaments in a single calendar year.
Driving Style and Strengths
De Greef plays right-handed with a one-handed backhand, a classical combination that gives her variety in her groundstrokes and the ability to dictate play with both wings. Her movement around the court is smooth and efficient, allowing her to retrieve balls and reset points effectively, while her tactical awareness helps her construct points with patience and precision. These technical and strategic strengths have been central to her rise through the rankings.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in De Greef’s career include her World No. 1 junior ranking in February 2020, her career-high singles ranking of No. 7 in March 2024, and her doubles career-high of No. 14 in November 2023. Her Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances at the French Open in singles and at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in doubles also stand out as signature performances that have shaped her reputation on tour.
Lizzy De Greef Career Wins
Across singles and doubles, Lizzy De Greef has built an impressive collection of titles on the international wheelchair tennis circuit. Her 18 career singles titles and 9 career doubles titles reflect consistent performance across multiple seasons and surfaces, and they place her among the most prolific winners of her generation on the women’s tour.
Grand Slam Highlights
De Greef has reached the quarterfinals in singles at the French Open in 2024 and at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in subsequent seasons, establishing a track record of advancing deep into major draws. In doubles, her results have been even stronger, with quarterfinal appearances at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open across recent seasons, showcasing her ability to compete at the highest level of the discipline.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the Grand Slams, De Greef has compiled an extensive list of titles on the ITF wheelchair tennis tour, where her 18 singles and 9 doubles championships have been earned. Her career doubles record stands at 42-35, a winning percentage that underscores her consistency in partnership play and her value as a doubles competitor.
| Discipline | Career Titles | Highest Ranking | Current Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles | 18 | No. 7 (4 March 2024) | No. 8 (8 July 2024) |
| Doubles | 9 | No. 14 (6 November 2023) | No. 16 (8 July 2024) |
Lizzy De Greef Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public details about Lizzy De Greef’s immediate family remain limited, and she has kept much of her personal life away from public view. What is clearly documented is her early medical history: she was born with a clubfoot and had her right lower leg amputated at the age of eleven, an experience that ultimately led her to wheelchair tennis and shaped her future in sport.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into 2025, Lizzy De Greef is positioned among the top players on the women’s wheelchair tennis tour, with a singles ranking of No. 8 and a doubles ranking of No. 14. Her recent Grand Slam quarterfinal results, including runs at the French Open and Wimbledon, suggest that she is ready to push deeper into the latter stages of major tournaments. The 2025 calendar offers multiple opportunities for her to reach new career milestones and to compete for her first Grand Slam singles semifinal.
Her established record of 18 career singles titles and 9 career doubles titles provides a solid foundation for the season ahead. With continued consistency and the experience gained from her previous Grand Slam appearances, she is well placed to challenge for higher rankings and to add to her title tally across both disciplines.
As she continues to develop her game and gain experience against the top players in the sport, De Greef represents the next generation of Dutch wheelchair tennis talent. Her combination of technical skill, competitive temperament, and a strong professional work ethic makes her a player to watch throughout the 2025 season and beyond.