Saturday 1 November
By Tanya Creighton and Isabelle Bambach
Paralympian David Johnson returned to competitive tennis to participate in the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games wheelchair tennis titles today.
David Johnson said it was great that wheelchair tennis was incorporated into this year’s listed sports and to see tennis become more accessible.
“It is good to see people getting out, being more active and giving it a go,” Johnson said.
“It is great the sport has been incorporated.”
Paraplegic and Gold Coast local Steve Fell was behind the initiative to incorporate wheelchair tennis into the 2014 games.
Steve Fell previously competed at the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games in basketball but said his love for tennis was the driving force behind the push for wheelchair tennis.
“I enjoyed my time playing basketball, but my passion was for tennis,” Fell said.
“I knew if the option to play wheelchair tennis was available, others would be interested to participate too.”
Queensland competitor Ben Baker was eager to participate in the games having played tennis competitively and leisurely for 20 years.
Mr Baker said there was more to tennis than a physical challenge and it was great to see wheelchair tennis receiving stronger support this year.
“Tennis is a mental game as much as it is physical, and it’s one of the few individual sports you can play in a wheelchair,” Baker said.
“We’re lucky to be involved in this sport because we’re well supported by Tennis Queensland.”
Participants from both the able-body and wheelchair tennis divisions said the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games were equally about the social aspects as they are the competition.
Canberra man and tennis competitor Dave Pruckner said he has been participating in the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games since 2006 for more than the sport alone.
“It is not about wining or losing, but rather participating and the friendships you make,” said the Jerrabomberra Tennis Club member.
“The venues we play at, the climate on the Gold Coast and the extremely well-run event are additional reasons that keep people returning.
“My wife and I have met and built friendships with people from all over Australia over the years and tennis is the medium that keeps us in touch.”
The Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games are being held across the Gold Coast from 1 – 9 November 2014.
The new scheme was born here and filagra this is not something that we would like to see. Caverta although better in some elements but not important for us.
