The International Tennis Federation’s season-ending championship for the world’s top wheelchair singles players will be hosted once again in Great Britain by the Tennis Foundation, with this year’s event being held from 29 November to 3 December at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Tennis Centre.
The British quartet are among a star-studded list of 22 players from 11 different nations who will be battling for honours, including multiple Paralympic medallists and Grand Slam champions. Qualification for each of the men’s, women’s and quad singles is based on ranking points achieved across what has been another sensational season for players on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme. No other country will be represented by more players at the prestigous event than Great Britain, with only the Netherlands matching the British total of four players.
World No.3 and Roland Garros champion Alfie Hewett, is relishing the opportunity to challenge for more silverware:
“It’s been a great season for me and I’m looking forward to trying to finish the year on a high. It’s always great to play in front of a good crowd and being a home event it means that little bit extra. The top eight is really open this year, so it’s going to be very interesting.”
Looking ahead to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, 2016 NEC Masters finalist Gordon Reid added:
“I’ve had a mixed year, but I’ve had a bit of a break since the US Open so I feel refreshed and I’m looking forward to getting back to competing. If you’ve not seen wheelchair tennis before, come and give it a go – there are plenty of British players to support, so come and make some noise for us.”
In staging the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters in º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, the Tennis Foundation is using the event as a platform to both raise the profile of tennis as a sport for disabled people and drive wider participation in tennis in the region. As part of a community outreach programme, special arrangements are in place for schools and community groups who wish to attend the 2017 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters. Any formally organised group of people such as clubs, societies, voluntary organisations and charities are also welcome – groups can find out more at www.wheelchairtennismasters.com.
The Tennis Foundation is Great Britain’s leading tennis charity with a vision to make tennis a sport which is inclusive and accessible to all. It works to open up tennis to its priority audiences of disabled people, young people in education and in lower socio-economic communities – making it possible for them to enjoy the many health and social benefits of the sport whilst maximising their personal potential.
Anyone wanting to get close to the action can secure tickets now via www.wheelchairtennismasters.com priced £8 for adults, half price concessions and just £1 for children, while the event will also be streamed live. The event is an ideal day out for families, schools and community groups and will include a fun activity zone for children and adults alike to give tennis a go.