Melbourne, Australia, 3 May 2012 | Tennis Australia

New South Wales Wheelchair athlete and world No.16, Ben Weekes has proven himself as a contender for the London Paralympics with a stunning performance in South Africa last weekend.

Weekes had a tough road to the final, meeting New South Welshman Richard Engles and battling to three sets to win 4-6 6-2 6-0. After gaining confidence from the match Weekes stormed through to the final and defeated world No.10 Takashi Sanada 6-2, 3-6 6-4. Impressively, Weekes came back from 0-3 in the final set to take the title.

March also saw Weekes take two titles at the Perry New Zealand Wheelchair Open. He defeated NSW teammate Adam Kellerman in the singles final 7-5 6-2 and then partnered Kellerman in the doubles final, defeating Japanese pair Fuijimoto and Miki 6-4 3-6 6-4.

Weekes, who trains at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre, has been working diligently to improve his game over the last year. National Academy Manager, Craig Purcell, has been working closely with him and sees this result as an indication of what Weekes is capable of.

“The changes that Ben and I have identified over the past months have shown that a great attitude, hard work and commitment always pays off,” said Purcell.

The Sydney native has had an extraordinary past twelve months, nominated at the Newcombe Medal Tennis Australia Awards for Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability. Weekes was also recognised in the determination category for Vegemite’s ‘Toast of a Nation’ competition and had his face adorned on special ‘Toast of a Nation’ jars.

Weekes now heads to Texas then onto South Korea to compete in the 2012 Wheelchair BNP Paribas World Team Cup on 21-27 May. He will join his team mates and fellow New South Welshmen, Adam Kellerman and Keegan Oh-Chee and take on the world’s best.