Canberra is set to host the inaugural Canberra Wheelchair Tennis Open from 29 September – 1 October 2017 expected to feature local talent, Matthew Leggett (ACT).
The Canberra Wheelchair Tennis Open will be an ITF Futures Series tournament, part of the UNIQLO ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour, one of seven ITF wheelchair tournaments hosted in Australia on the circuit. The event will be the first ever ITF wheelchair tennis tournament hosted in the ACT.
Ranked tenth in Australia, 24-year-old Leggett has been playing wheelchair tennis for three years. In March 2016, he reached a career high ranking of world No.380 after an intense campaign including four domestic tournaments. A member of North Woden Tennis Club, the tennis advocate has high hopes for the sport and is looking forward to participating in an ITF event at home.
“It’s pretty exciting to see that a wheelies tennis tournament is coming to Canberra, because the facilities are so good after the recent updates,” he said.
“Hopefully a few people can get out and watch a match or two and notice that what wheelies do is really cool.”
“The best thing would be to spark the interest of a few more Canberra sports people, because wheelies tennis is a top sport to be involved in.”
Tournament director Melanie Chapman anticipates a diverse field will participate in the new Canberra event.
“We hope to have over 30 players from across Australia plus a host of international players competing in the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, and Junior divisions in both singles and doubles events,” she said.
“The new Canberra Tennis Centre is very accessible and a huge reason to bring the wheelchair tennis to Canberra.”
Tennis Australia’s National Pathway Performance Manager for wheelchair tennis, Alex Jago said there has been a heavy investment in the wheelchair tennis development pathway.
“This past year, Australia has gone from one to six Australian junior players with international ITF Junior ranking points on the wheelchair circuit,” he said.
“There is a good focus on junior development and it is important to continue to provide domestic tournament opportunities so players can continue to develop.”
The Canberra Wheelchair Tennis Open is on at the Canberra Tennis Centre, Lyneham from 29 September – 1 October. It will be an exciting weekend with the event set to be hosted alongside the returning 12U/ & 14/U Australian Claycourt National Championships from 29 September – 4 October.
2017 AUSTRALIAN WHEELCHAIR CALENDAR
You don’t have to be in a wheelchair to play wheelchair tennis.
Find out more about Wheelchair Tennis and how you can get involved.
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