Diede de Groot of Belgium became the first player to win a grand slam singles and doubles titles in the same year at the French Open on Monday, taking the doubles title against her countrywoman Kirsten Flipkens.
De Groot has won her major singles titles at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, a feat she reached on the Women’s Doubles Tour with her partner Alize Cornet on Sunday. On Monday, the world No57 earned a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win in one hour, 40 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier to top the field for a second time in a grand slam event.
“It’s really tough,” said de Groot, whose doubles triumphs have also included the US Open and US Women’s Doubles Championships. “I knew it was there, I just couldn’t find it in me today.”
Flipkens’s defeat meant she has failed to make the final of the women’s singles at the French Open for a third straight year. She had also lost in the doubles final in 2013.
De Groot had been 10-1 in the mixed doubles for 2017 before losing her semi-final against Andrea Petkovic.