Roland Garros Finalist Ahmet Kaplan Meets with Members of the Press
Our national para-tennis player Ahmet Kaplan met with members of the press following his historic success at Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam tournament of the season. The press meeting was held at the TTF Ankara Tennis Training Center with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Hamza Yerlikaya, and Turkish Tennis Federation President Ms. Şafak Müderrisgil.
Ahmet Kaplan, who became the first Turkish para-tennis player to reach a Grand Slam singles final by advancing to the final in the Quad category at Roland Garros, shared his career journey, goals, and the stepping stones of this historic success with the press.
Explaining that he was introduced to wheelchair basketball following an electrical accident he experienced at the age of eight, Ahmet Kaplan stated that he later transitioned to tennis under the guidance of his team captain, describing this decision as one of the best choices of his life.
Noting that he and his current coaching staff have achieved a significant rise since 2023, Ahmet Kaplan recalled that he had played in the semifinals at the last two Australian Opens, the semifinals at Wimbledon 2024, and the doubles final at Roland Garros. He expressed that this season's singles final success holds immense meaning both for his own career and for Turkish tennis.
“Our Biggest Dream is to Win a Grand Slam Title with the Team”
Currently ranked number 4 in the Quad category world rankings, Ahmet Kaplan evaluated his future goals:
"Our biggest dream is to win a Grand Slam title together with the team. In the long term, we want to become the world number 1. We missed a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games by a very narrow margin. I believe we will crown this journey beautifully at the Los Angeles Paralympic Games."
Expressing his gratitude to his coaches, club, and sponsors who supported him, the national athlete also shared his future goal of founding a tennis academy to contribute to wheelchair tennis, stating that he wishes to take part in projects that will inspire young athletes.
Deputy Minister Hamza Yerlikaya: “Ahmet Has Proven and Continues to Prove His Worth Despite All Hardships”
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Hamza Yerlikaya drew attention to the fight put forth by Ahmet Kaplan, stating that sports belong to those who never give up:
"Ahmet has proven and continues to prove his worth despite all hardships. Finishing runner-up is highly valuable, but my advice to Ahmet is to give his entire fight from now on for the gold medal. I believe he will hang the gold medal around his neck at Roland Garros, the Australian Open, and the Los Angeles Paralympic Games. Because he possesses this belief, perseverance, and determination."
Emphasizing that Ahmet Kaplan is now among the best athletes in the world, Yerlikaya stated that permanent success is possible through repetitive achievements, and expressed his belief that the national athlete will carry Turkish tennis even further forward.
Furthermore, Yerlikaya highlighted that following the restructuring of physically disabled sports disciplines—which previously operated under a single umbrella—into individual relevant federations, a significant increase has been achieved in the number of medals won at international events. He noted that this model has made an important contribution to the development of Turkish sports.
TTF President Ms. Şafak Müderrisgil: “I Wholeheartedly Believe that Ahmet Kaplan Will Serve as a Role Model”
Turkish Tennis Federation President Ms. Şafak Müderrisgil stated that Ahmet Kaplan's historic success at Roland Garros cannot be explained solely by a final appearance or a ranking:
"By advancing to the final in the Quad category at Roland Garros last week—one of the four most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world—Ahmet Kaplan achieved one of the most significant successes not only of his own career but also in the history of Turkish tennis. Explaining Ahmet's success merely through a final, a trophy, or a ranking would be incomplete. We know Ahmet for his character: working tirelessly, continuing to improve himself every single day, and never giving up the fight until the very last ball when he steps onto the court. His determination on the court, his passion for the sport, and his exemplary stance have been the most vital traits carrying him to success."
Emphasizing that Ahmet Kaplan has risen step by step in the international arena over the years, Ms. Müderrisgil added:
"The success we are celebrating is not just a Grand Slam final; it is a new milestone in the labor-woven journey of an athlete who has been rising consistently for years. I wholeheartedly believe that this historic result achieved by Ahmet Kaplan at Roland Garros will inspire many young athletes who will start wheelchair tennis in the future, and that Ahmet Kaplan will serve as a role model. I would particularly like to state that as the Turkish Tennis Federation, we will always stand by him on his journey ahead."
At the end of the press meeting, a plaque was presented to Ahmet Kaplan by Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Hamza Yerlikaya and Turkish Tennis Federation President Ms. Şafak Müderrisgil in honor of his historic success at Roland Garros, followed by a photo session with the runner-up plate Kaplan earned at the French Open.
