World Championship Wheelchair Tennis

Written by: Staff on 7th November 2013

World Championship Wheelchair Tennis |

Early Thursday morning as the sun peeked through the clouds, three-time Paralympic gold medalists David Wagner and Nick Taylor practiced at the Marguerite Tennis Pavilion.

It would be just hours until the two would compete against each other in the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters and then join forces for the ITF Wheelchair Doubles Masters in Mission Viejo. The tournaments run through Nov. 11.

Watching the “Superhumans” slam the tennis ball back and forth, there was no mistaking the camaraderie between the two friends and competitors. But one might assume that competing against each other could cause a bit of friction.

“We compete against each other a lot … probably 80 times in our careers,” said Wagner, the top-ranked quadriplegic tennis player in the world. “In singles competition, you don’t think about that relationship; you just play as well as you can and then take some time to regroup (before playing together in doubles) and give it your best. We never take it personal.”

This is the first time that either of the year-end singles and doubles events has been hosted in the United States, and the first time since 2002 that the two events have been held at the same venue. Event organizers and players say having the two events together has been “phenomenal.”

“From a tournament standpoint, it brings both singles and doubles together and gives fans the chance to see both types of play,” said Brad Parks, founder of the sport and honorary chair of the event. “Particularly in doubles, the movement in the chairs is so fascinating to watch, especially for people who have not seen it before. It’s like a chess game …”

Dan James, national manager of wheelchair tennis for the United States Tennis Association (USTA), agrees it’s been a boon to the players and fans alike having both tournaments together in Mission Viejo.

“As someone who has been involved in this for 20 years, it’s great to see wheelchair tennis in Southern California right where it started,” he said. “The competition is on a new level having both singles and doubles together. The athletes have been playing at their highest level to bring the best possible product for the people of Mission Viejo.”

The 2013 Wheelchair Tennis Masters continues with day sessions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and night from 6 to 10 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 11. Tickets are still available at www.itfwheelchairmasters.

Folks unable to attend the matches can catch all of the action streamed live online on the city’s YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/missionviejoca. Tennis results are updated each night at http://itfwheelchairtennismasters.com.

Topics: 10sballs.com, David Wagner, ITF Wheelchair Doubles Masters, NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters, Nick Taylor, super humans, Tennis, Tennis News, Usta