US Open Sees Top Wheelchair Tennis Stars

18 Sep 2009 By IPC

The Wheelchair Tennis event of the US Open 2009 finished this past weekend in New York, USA, with many well-known athletes in the Paralympic Sport taking over the courts.

Top-ranked Wheelchair Tennis athletes Esther Vergeer (NED) and Shingo Kunieda (JPN) defeated their opponents and impressed the crowds in the famous event at the Louis Armstrong Stadium Court. The outdoor stadium hosted the Wheelchair Tennis players from 10-13 September.

In the Men’s Singles, Shingo Kunieda defeated Maikel Scheffers from the Netherlands 6-0, 6-0. In the Men’s Doubles, France’s Stephane Houdet and Sweden’s Stefan Olsson defeated Maikel Scheffers and Ronald Vink from the Netherlands 6-4 in the third set.

In the Women’s Singles, Esther Vergeer defeated compatriot Korie Homan 6-0, 6-0. In the Women’s Doubles, the two were paired together and defeated Australia’s Daniela Di Toro and France’s Florence Gravellier 6-2, 6-2.

In the Quad’s Singles, Peter Norfolk from Great Britain defeated David Wagner (USA) in the three sets, 6-3 3-6 6-3. In the Quad’s Doubles, USA pair Nicholas Taylor and David Wagner defeated Sweden’s Johan Andersson and Peter Norfolk also in three sets, 6-1 6-7 6-3.

Wheelchair Tennis appeared for the first time on the Paralympic Programme in Barcelona in 1992. It originated from the USA in the 1970s and continues to develop a strong following of players and fans internationally. The game follows able-bodied Tennis rules and athletes must have high levels of skill, fitness and strategy. The only difference in Wheelchair Tennis competitions is that the ball is allowed to bounce two times - the first bounce being within the bounds of the court.