NEC Wheelchair Tennis Singles Masters Underway

The 2009 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Singles Masters has started in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Taking place from 18-22 November at the Frans Otten Stadium, the big competition includes eight of the world top ten men and women, and all four world top ranked quad players. And for the second consecutive year, the same eight players are competing in the men’s event.

The athlete entries are according to the singles rankings, and shown in brackets below.

MEN

Stephane Houdet (FRA) (2)
Maikel Scheffers (NED) (3)
Stefan Olsson (SWE) (4)
Robin Ammerlaan (NED) (5)
Martin Legner (AUT) (7)
Nicolas Peifer (FRA) (8)
Ronald Vink (NED) (9)
Satoshi Saida (JPN) (10)

WOMEN

Esther Vergeer (NED) (1)
Korie Homan (NED) (2)
Florence Gravellier (FRA) (3)
Sharon Walraven (NED) (4)
Daniela di Toro (AUS) (5)
Aniek van Koot (NED) (6)
Jiske Griffioen (NED) (7)
Katharina Kruger (GER) (8)

QUADS

David Wagner (USA) (1)
Peter Norfolk (GBR) (2)
Nicholas Taylor (USA) (3)
Johan Andersson (SWE) (4)

In the Men’s competition, the recent withdrawal of world number one Shingo Kunieda, due to injury, brings a new dimension to the event and leaves another open field that promises to be high energy. In the Women’s competition the world’s top two players, Esther Vergeer and Korie Homan, are looking to keep their positions on through the five-day event.

Presently held in the Netherlands, the NEC Masters has become the most coveted trophy amongst the top players. The NEC Masters was initiated in 1994 to honour the top players who have shown dedication and professionalism to the sport. At the same time it is an opportunity to show the general public and the media that Wheelchair Tennis played at its highest level is not only challenging and dynamic, but also an exciting sport to watch.

After six successful years at its original home of the Indoor Sport Centre in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters moved in 2000, to Amersfoort, where an independent group had purchased the organizing rights for this unique event. In 2006, the NEC Singles Masters took place for the first time in Amsterdam at the Frans Otten Stadium, where it is currently held.

For more information about the 2009 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Singles Masters, visit the official website at www.wheelchairtennis-amsterdam.com/masters.

For more information about Wheelchair Tennis, please visit www.itftennis.com/wheelchair.