London 2012 Paralympic Tennis Event Programme 1st – 8th September Eton Manor, Olympic Park London 2012 Paralympic Tennis Event Programme Contents An Introduction to Wheelchair Tennis 1 Welcome Messages 2 Introduction to Eton Manor 4 The Schedule 5 The ITF Silver Fund 6 Ones to Watch: The Men 10 Ones to Watch: The Women 16 Ones to Watch: The Quads 22 Countries and Participants 26 Paralympic Games Fact Sheet 28 designed and produced by arc. www.arc-cs.com An Introduction to Wheelchair Tennis History The four wheelchair tennis events at the World Team Cup Grand Slams are at the top of the tier, Wheelchair tennis originated in 1976 in The World Team Cup is the ITF’s annual followed by the six top stand-alone the USA, where it was developed and flagship wheelchair tennis team event, wheelchair tennis events, which have promoted by American players Brad akin to the Davis and Fed Cups. The ITF Super Series status. Below this, Parks and Jeff Minnebraker. World Team Cup consists of events for tournaments have either ITF 1 Series, Men, Women, Quads and Juniors. On 1 January 1998 the International ITF 2 Series, ITF 3 Series or ITF Futures Wheelchair Tennis Federation was fully Series status. The London 2012 integrated into the International Tennis Paralympic Tennis Event carries world Federation, the world governing body ranking points that are the same as for Rules for tennis, making wheelchair tennis the ITF Super Series Events. first disabled sport to achieve such a The game of wheelchair tennis union at international level. The ITF publishes world rankings each follows the ITF Rules of Tennis week based on a 12-month rollover with the one major difference Wheelchair Tennis Tour ranking. World rankings are published from the able-bodied game The Wheelchair Tennis Tour originated for Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, being that the wheelchair tennis in 1992 with 11 international Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles, player is allowed two bounces tournaments. Quads Singles and Quads Doubles. of the ball. The No. 1 ranked male and female The 2012 Wheelchair Tennis Tour players at the end of the year are consists of 175 events in 41 countries, honoured as the Wheelchair Tennis including the London Paralympic Tennis World Champions during the World Event. Champions Dinner held during Roland Events and Rankings Garros. Players earn ranking points at each In 2005 the ITF and its Junior event according the grade of the Wheelchair Tennis Programme Partner tournament and the draw they play in launched the first International at that event. Wheelchair Tennis Tour Wheelchair Tennis Junior Ranking, events are structured in a tier system. which is published monthly. London 2012 Paralympic Tennis Event Programme 01 1 Welcome to the London 2012 Paralympic Tennis Event Sir Philip Craven President, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) On behalf of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) I would like to welcome all wheelchair tennis players and the International Tennis Federation to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The Games are coming home to the country where it all started with Sir Ludwig Guttman organizing sporting events for veterans of World War II. Ever since the Paralympic Games have been an exceptional success story and London will be the next chapter. Over the course of 12 days, London will be at the heart of the Paralympic Movement welcoming more than 4,200 athletes from over 150 countries competing against each other on the highest level Paralympic Sport can showcase. Wheelchair Tennis is growing in popularity all the time. This has been underlined by the fact that all tickets for this event were sold out 200 days before the Opening Ceremony. I am sure the action we see over the coming days will cement the sport’s place as one of Paralympic Movement’s main attractions. As you take in each experience while at the Games, I hope that you leave with an impression of inspiration that lasts a lifetime. 02 Francesco Ricci Bitti Debbie Jevans President, International Tennis Director of Sport, Federation (ITF) London 2012 It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you to Eton Manor for On behalf of LOCOG, I’m delighted to welcome you to the Wheelchair Tennis Event at the XIV Paralympic Games in the Wheelchair Tennis competition at the London 2012 London. Wheelchair tennis was introduced to the Paralympic Paralympic Games. Games in 1988 as a demonstration sport and became a full London is honoured to be hosting the Paralympic Games, and medal event at the 1992 Games in Barcelona. Our sport has the Wheelchair Tennis competition will undoubtedly be one of gone from strength to strength and remains one of the highest the highlights of the programme. We have worked tirelessly to profile events in the Paralympic Games. As such it is fitting that provide the best conditions at the venue to enable athletes to this year the competition will be held in a purpose-built stadium perform at their peak, and to provide comprehensive support for the first time, which will further underline what is sure to be a facilities for team officials, media and spectators. fantastic week of sporting excellence. We are very proud of the fact that Eton Manor is the only Paralympic-specific venue that Eton Manor provides state-of-the-art facilities with nine is being used at London 2012 and look forward to a competition courts and four practice courts and seating for competition of the highest standard. 10,500 spectators. After 2012 the facility will provide a fully accessible venue for future tennis events, training and The Paralympic Games is a unique experience in which only a community use. few people have the privilege of taking part. I would like to offer my congratulations to all the athletes who have worked so hard Welcome again and I very much hope you enjoy both your to qualify for the most important stage in the sports world. I time at Eton Manor and your time in our city for what would particularly like to welcome the 112 players from 31 promises to be an exciting and memorable summer of countries who will compete in the Wheelchair Tennis Event at world-class competition. the Paralympic Games. The Beijing Paralympic Games four years ago bore witness to matches of the highest quality and I have no doubt that London will bring out the very best in all of the players. I am delighted that the Quad competition, which was introduced at Athens in 2004, continues to prove a success, with 16 competitors battling to secure a medal in London. I would like to take this opportunity to thank, on behalf of the ITF, the IPC, LOCOG, and the incredible number of people who have worked so hard to make these Games a success. I wish everyone involved in this event – the players, officials, volunteers and spectators – an enjoyable and rewarding week. London 2012 Paralympic Tennis Event Programme 03 “The atmosphere was good during the test event when I played a British player and I could imagine the stands being full when a Brit is involved during the Games. A lot of tickets have been sold and wheelchair tennis is really popular here. I can only look forward to what will be happening in September.” Esther Vergeer Introduction to Eton Manor Even before the London 2012 Paralympic Tennis Event gets underway, history has already been made, as Eton Manor is the only purpose-built London 2012 Paralympic venue for the eight days of wheelchair tennis competition on 1-8 September. ituated towards the north end of Before construction began on site in June Wheelchair Tennis Event took place on Olympic Park, Eton Manor features 2009, two war memorials were removed 3-6 May. It had a world class field that Snine competition courts, all so they could be stored safely off site included Paralympic gold medallists designed in a striking blue colour, and during the building work then returned Robin Ammerlaan and Esther Vergeer of four practice courts. The Spade-Oak after the Games. These memorials were the Netherlands and Peter Norfolk of installed DecoTurf courts were the first to used on Remembrance Day by the Eton Great Britain. be awarded Two-Star ITF Recognition Manor Sports Club to pay tribute to club Ammerlaan, Vergeer and Norfolk all went when tested by the ITF’s Technical members who fought and died in the First on to win the first gold medals to be department in September 2011. and Second World Wars. awarded at the new venue in the men’s During the Games, Eton Manor will also Eton Manor was the last Olympic Park singles, women’s singles and quads’ house temporary training pools for competition venue to be completed when singles events. participants in Olympic and Paralympic construction finished in February 2012. Aquatics events. It has three 50m pools After the Games for swimmers, and smaller pools for The Eton Manor Wheelchair After the Paralympic Games, the area synchronised swimmers and water polo Tennis International will be transformed into sporting facilities players. As the only purpose-built London 2012 for the local community, including a Eton Manor is built on the site of the old Paralympic venue, Eton Manor also tennis centre and a hockey centre. There Eton Manor Sports Club, once a popular hosted the first ever Test Event for will also be space for ten five-a-side community sports facility in the 1900s. wheelchair tennis when the Eton Manor football pitches. 04 London 2012 Paralympic Tennis Event Schedule Saturday 1 September: 11:00 Men’s singles – round of 64 Women’s singles – round of 32 Quad doubles – quarterfinals Sunday 2 September: 11:00 Men’s singles – round of 32 Men’s