London 2012 Hopefuls Set for Nottingham Tournament

"With the coming year being such a crucial one for Wheelchair Tennis, it’s great to see so many top international and British players back in action in Nottingham."

Many of the world’s top Wheelchair Tennis players will return to Nottingham for the second time this year to contest the Nottingham Indoor Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, which takes place from 26 - 30 October.

This year’s tournament comes within the year-long qualification window for Wheelchair Tennis at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, giving it vital significance for many of the 68 entrants from 11 countries.

Dutch world No. 2 Maikel Scheffers heads the men’s singles entries while British hopes of success will be led by Gordon Reid, David Phillipson and Marc McCarroll. All three Brits will be aiming to improve on their quarter-final spots in 2010, with Nottinghamshire’s Phillipson providing the local interest.

Meanwhile, McCarroll and Reid will be looking for a strong performance ahead of pairing up for the first time at the Invcare Doubles Masters in Amsterdam a week later. McCarroll is out to try and defend the doubles title he won with Phillipson last year, when Reid was runner-up.

Britain’s top women’s pair Lucy Shuker and Jordanne Whiley will also be in action in Nottingham, with Whiley going into this year’s tournament as defending champion in both the singles and doubles.

The quad event sees Dutchwoman Dorrie Timmermans van Hall, a finalist at Nottingham in 2009, join Paralympic quad doubles bronze medallist Jamie Burdekin, along with fellow Brits John Parfitt, Adam Field and Antony Cotterill.

Tournament Director Becky Tilley said: “With the coming year being such a crucial one for Wheelchair Tennis, it’s great to see so many top international and British players back in action in Nottingham.

”I hope people take this opportunity to learn more about a really exciting sport that will no doubt be a highlight of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”

Organised by the Tennis Foundation, Nottingham Indoor is an ITF 2 Series event on the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour and is held at the City of Nottingham Tennis Centre.

The tournament is supported by Nottingham City Council and entry is free to all spectators.

Wheelchair Tennis is one of 20 sports that will be played at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.