PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 07: Dana Mathewson of the United States in action during the Women’s Wheelchair … [+] Singles Quarterfinal match on Day 11 of the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
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Dana Mathewson, the top-ranked Team USA wheelchair tennis player from San Diego, CA, is preparing to represent her country at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Ranked #1 in the USA, #8 internationally in doubles, and #9 in singles, Dana has made a mark on the global stage with standout performances. Her impressive career includes Para Pan American Games Santiago 2023 Singles and Doubles Gold Medalist, US Open Quarterfinalist in 2017, and the Wimbledon Doubles Championship in 2022. Having been a key player on the World Cup team from 2009-2011 and 2015-2022, Dana is a prominent force in wheelchair tennis as she sets her sights on the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
Dana was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, transverse myelitis, at the age of 10, which led to her using a wheelchair for mobility. While she was in the hospital, her mother took the initiative to explore adaptive sports that Dana could try. Dana initially experimented with rugby and basketball, but when she tried tennis, something clicked. It felt like the perfect fit.
Mindset Of A Champion
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 05: Dana Mathewson of United States plays a shot against Diede de Groot … [+] and Jiske Griffioen of Netherlands in the women’s doubles final during the Lexus British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships at Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre on August 05, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images for LTA)
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At 13, Dana attended her first tennis camp in Coronado, CA, near her hometown of San Diego. There, she met national coaches and former Team USA Paralympians. Meeting them was a turning point for Dana, as she began to see them as role models, exemplifying what she could achieve through tennis. Before attending the clinic, she had never seen or heard of wheelchair tennis, but the experience gave her the confidence and excitement that ultimately propelled her into competitive play.
As Dana approached college age, she was recruited by the University of Arizona, where she competed and further honed her skills. With the support of her coaches and her mother, who recognized her potential to excel at even higher levels, Dana took the leap onto the professional stage. She began setting ambitious goals, including competing in the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Dana’s mother has been her biggest supporter and a key reason for her success, both in tennis and life. Reflecting on her mother’s role in shaping her journey, Dana shared, “She’s never let my disability define me.” Instead of coddling her daughter, Dana’s mom encouraged her to be proactive about her situation. After being discharged from the hospital as a child, Dana’s mom reminded her that there were chores waiting for her at home. When Dana responded with surprise, asking, “Are you serious?” her mom replied, “Yeah, your arms still work. Go empty the dishwasher.” Dana now sees that moment as pivotal, realizing that although she had a disability, it didn’t mean she was incapable. This mindset, instilled by her mother, shaped Dana’s attitude and set her up for success both personally and as a professional athlete.
The Paralympics Are Parallel To The Olympics
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Dana Mathewson of United States plays a shot in her quarterfinal … [+] singles match against Diede De Groot of the Netherlands during day seven of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
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A significant hurdle for all tennis players, both adaptive and able-bodied, is the financial burden of sustaining a professional career. While top-ranked athletes may do well, many others struggle to make as much as they spend. The costs of coaches, travel, and other expenses are high. For Dana, this was a difficult burden to overcome when she first started her professional career. Tennis pros spend 20-30 weeks on the road each year, which can be isolating and requires significant sacrifices, including time away from loved ones. Their income is largely dependent on daily performance.
Another challenge for Dana and adaptive athletes like her, has been in gaining the same level of respect as her able-bodied counterparts. Disabled athletes like Dana often don’t receive the recognition they deserve for their talent and hard work. “Most people don’t know that the word Paralympics means being parallel to the Olympic Games,” Dana explained. “A lot of people think that ‘para’ stands for paraplegic, which is understandable, but it’s just not the case.” It’s crucial to give adaptive athletes the same respect and understanding as able-bodied athletes, as they train just as hard, follow similar diets, and work out in the gym just as much.
From Wimbledon Champion to Team USA Flag Bearer
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Yui Kamiji of Japan and Dana Mathewson of United States of America holds … [+] the trophy after victory against Diede de Groot of Netherlands and Aniek Van Koot of Netherlands during the Ladies’ wheelchair doubles – Final during day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2022 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
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A moment of immense gratitude and accomplishment for Dana came at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, where she won the doubles title with Yui Kamiji. As an underdog, Dana faced an uphill battle in terms of rankings. She entered the match with a simple goal: to play well. After winning the first set 6-1, Dana began to feel a sense of pride and excitement, realizing that the title was within reach. Dana and Yui won the title 6-1, 7-5, defeating the highly ranked doubles team of Diede de Groot and Aniek van Koot. Reflecting on the moment, Dana said, “I had no idea when we won that I would be the first American women’s wheelchair tennis player to win a major.” Winning a major title, especially in doubles, is something truly special to Dana.
At the 2023 Santiago Para Pan American Games, Dana was chosen to be the flag bearer for Team USA, a role she described as “one of the coolest things and biggest honors” of her life. Having previously lost at the Lima Para Pan American Games in 2019, Dana was determined to achieve a better result in Santiago. In the final match, Dana faced a formidable opponent in Colombian Angélica Bernal. Pushing through the match, Dana gave it her all, winning the title 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Afterward, she broke down in tears of joy, recognizing the magnitude of the challenges she had overcome to reach this point.
2024 Paris Paralympics
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 05: Dana Mathewson of the United States in action against Aniek van Koot of the … [+] Netherlands in the Women’s Wheelchair Singles Quarter Final match on Day Eleven of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on June 05, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
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Looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Dana is focused on her process rather than the result. “Anyone can say they want a gold medal; of course they do, we all want it, and I’m no exception. I want to be on the podium. But I think more than anything, I just want to compete well. When I compete well, good things usually happen,” Dana commented. She sets herself up for success by creating small, realistic goals rather than big, lofty ones, as these attainable goals are more productive for her as an athlete. Before her matches, she reminds herself to “compete well, be confident, be brave.” Although Dana values competitive results, she now focuses on playing well rather than just winning. “Playing well is a win,” she says. “If I show up and execute a shot as planned, that’s a win.”
Dana emphasizes working hard, loving the game, and maintaining her own definition of success, rather than burning out by tying her confidence solely to wins and losses. In general, athletes are judged harshly on their performance, and the pressure can take a toll on consistency and quality. In American culture especially, the mentality of working hard and being as productive as possible at all times often overlooks the importance of rest and self-defined success. Dana exemplifies a professional athlete who has chosen to dictate her own path to high performance, valuing rest and defining achievements on her own terms.
At the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, Dana takes pride in the opportunity to represent Team USA and hopes to raise awareness that wheelchair tennis, and all adaptive athletes deserve the same attention and support as their able-bodied counterparts. “I am an athlete, one in the same as someone who is playing tennis on their feet. It looks different, of course, but once you really watch it, the strategy is almost identical, and the rules are the same.” Dana hopes to be an ambassador for wheelchair tennis, prioritizing respect and equity so that future generations of athletes like herself receive the same recognition as able-bodied athletes. “I’ve seen the excitement of wheelchair tennis around the world. I hope the upcoming LA 2028 is a catalyst for change, and we’ll see more excitement for Team USA in the Paralympics. Team USA is Team USA, regardless if you represent the Olympic rings or the Agitos Paralympic symbol; we are the same team and deserve the same support.”
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Publish date : 2024-08-13 10:36:00
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