The Growing Popularity of Wheelchair Tennis
For beginners and professionals alike, the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has inspired many to get fitter. Whether this is achieved by taking up a new sport or stepping up your current training, there is always an opportunity to lead a healthy active lifestyle which best suits your preferences.Wheelchair Tennis
Wheelchair tennis has become one of the first sports to build on the massive success the 2012 Games by using the facilities at the Olympic Park for 2014 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters on 26-30 November. Tickets for the event went on sale at the end of August to coincide with the National Paralympic Day in the UK. It forms part of the UK Sports prestigious Gold Event Series in which 20 of the world’s leading players return to the site of the 2012 Paralympic Tennis Event. This sport has seen much more interest in recent years, establishing itself as one of the fastest growing wheelchair sports in the world. It integrates extremely easily with the non-disabled game as it can be played on any regular tennis court and does not require specialist surfaces. A myth surrounding wheelchair tennis is that you have to use a chair in everyday life to be eligible to play – in fact, the game is open to anyone with a mobility-related, physical disability. Wheelchair tennis players are allowed two bounces of the ball and can easily play against other wheelchair tennis players, as well as alongside or against non-disabled friends and family. From amateur level right up to UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour (where world’s top players compete in 3 divisions), there are plenty of opportunities to enter tournaments tailored to varying abilities. There is hope that this, along with the publication of the 2014 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters, will encourage more and more people to follow suit and take up the sport.Celebrity Endorsement
The Masters has gained tremendous support from politicians such as Boris Johnson and famous paralympians such as Tanni Grey-Thompson, who is a Tennis Foundation Trustee. When asked about the event, Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: “Wheelchair tennis was a smash hit at the Paralympic Games in 2012 and it is exciting to see the sport returning to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to inspire us all once again. I am sure thousands of fans will be trying to net themselves tickets to watch some of the world’s top players serve up an absolute treat in this superb competition.” Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Tennis Foundation Trustee, added: “The players at the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters will be the best in the world and the event will be a great showcase for Paralympic sport. This is a great opportunity for us to continue to build on the interest generated by the 2012 Games and inspire even more disabled people to play a version of tennis to suit them.”Events
Events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games and NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters are an incredible way of inspiring people of all ages and abilities to take part in fitness classes and sports for a healthier way of living.Charles Lawrence
Here at Charles Lawrence, we understand the importance of carrying out premium quality tennis court installations to encourage participation, high performance and enjoyment. Our comprehensive range of services include:- painted porous macadam
- artificial grass carpets
- artificial clay
- non-porous acrylic (American Cement)