First time for everything...

[gameboy]

Played my USTA match last night. I was all relaxed and ready to go until...

I found out one of my doubles opponent was in a wheelchair.

I have never played a guy in a wheelchair before, never in 30 years. I never even knew USTA leagues accommodated wheelchair players.

The only difference with wheelchair players is that they get two bounces. We were told of the rules, but that was really weird to get used to. On the very first point, my partner hits a nice volley and it bounces a couple of times and I relax since I THOUGHT the point was over and the wheelchair guy hits a clean winner right by me.

I don't think I have been that nervous for a USTA game since the very first one I played. I was just a wreck for the entire game. My backhand was flying long and my forehands were just barely clearing the net I was pushing it so hard. I was hitting most of my shots to the wheelchair guy's partner since I knew what to expect from that guy, and felt bad when I hit my lobs.

I wish I could have just watched the guy play as he was pretty phenomenal. His generated tremendous power off his forehand and hit very good passing shots down the line. But I was just not prepared mentally at all and I was just nervous the entire match.

Just goes to show how much your brain rebels when it is an environment that is not familiar.

Luckily, my serves were very good and we were able to hang on for 4-4 win (which was the deciding match for our team!). But that was a match I will not forget soon.

Have you guys played against wheelchair players in the league before? What was it like for you? What are some tips playing against wheelchair players?

 

[OrangePower]

Never played against a wheelchair player, but I think it's great that tennis is flexible enough to allow for a such a match. The only odd thing is that only one of your opponents was in a wheelchair... I think I could get used to my opponent / opponents getting two bounces, but when you have one of each I think I'd get confused!

 

[Larrysümmers]

it would be alright in a social match, or if both partners were in a wheel chair, but the 1 in and 1 out is a little too extreme for an 'official' match. but if you dont have a wheel chair league then i guess its the only thing he can really do

 

[sureshs]

Is this a requirement? Because I have never heard of an official tournament where wheelchair players need to be accomodated along with able-bodied players.

 

[gameboy]

I have no idea. This was a first for me. I thought at least a few people around here would have experienced the same thing, but I guess not.

I think it is pretty cool. It is just highly unusual and can really throw you off.

 

[sureshs]

Is it a legal requirement for the USTA to allow wheelchair players into the regular league?

 

[cak]

USTA does allow wheelchair players in the regular leagues. It's a national rule. And yes, there are a few wheelchair players in our local league.

People on my team have played against one of the local wheelchair players, but I've never ended up with her on my line. She is great to watch, and yes, team members tell me they always get confused on the second bounce.

I've been told the strategy for playing against a wheelchair player is to aim at the chair. Don't let them go for two bounces.

 

[sureshs]

I didn't understand the double bounce either, because if your ball is bouncing twice, it had better be a drop shot or a soft volley only.

Are you saying that a wheelie is allowed to hit the second bounce even if it outside the court?

 

[gameboy]

Yes, you can hit it anywhere with the second bounce. I went away from short volleys as that was not very effective with second bounces. You have to really go wide or right at them.

 

[michael_1265]

I never knew that wheelchair could be mixed with regular tennis. I wonder if the person in the wheelchair established their rating by playing regular or wheelchair matches?

Could I bring a wheelchair to a regular match to establish the two-bounce rule, and then just jump out of it when I needed to?:twisted:

 

[sureshs]

How useful is the double bounce to the wheelie? For most balls, the second bounce is going to very close to the fence.

 

[gameboy]

It is pretty useful in doubles and in second serves. Most guys in our level don't have strong enough second serve to bounce to the fence.

It means short/drop shot then lob approach won't work that much.

I don't think anyone would be willing to play in a wheelchair by choice. That guy was haulin' back and forth. I wouldn't be able to do it...

 

[michael_1265]

I love how clean she hits the ball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVJVjI0fxX0&feature=related

 

[goober]

Did the wheelchair player just stay on the baseline? It seems like it would be too easy to lob them if they came to the net.

I guess since it was an official match I would probably lob and moonball him a lot since those would be hard to hit from a sitting position. Short angles would be hard to get even with 2 bounces.

 

[Ash_Smith]

Sureshs directed me over here from a different thread, I'll quite happily answer any Q's anybody has about wheelchair tennis!

Cheers

 

[Wuppy]

I hear you want to get the ball lodged in the wheels so the chair flips over or goes out of control into a wall.

 

[sureshs]

Ash is a wheelchair tennis coach for the UK team.

My most obvious question would be: is it common for able-bodied and wheelchair players to play each other in leagues?

 

[SweetH2O]

Not sure how many participants they get, but ALTA in Atlanta runs a summer league where an able-bodied player and a wheelchair player are matched against another able-bodied/wheelchair pair. I like the league name - Run 'n Roll Tennis.

http://www.altatennis.org/Public/League.aspx?TypeID=13

 

[sureshs]

I would be afraid of my feet being run over by the wheels.

 

[Cindysphinx]

I know exactly what would happen had I faced gameboy's opponents.

I would have made a whole bunch of errors and would have lost!

 

[kimbahpnam]

aim for his feet...i mean wheels.

 

[Ash_Smith]

Ash is a wheelchair tennis coach for the UK team.

My most obvious question would be: is it common for able-bodied and wheelchair players to play each other in leagues?

Probably not all that common, over here you see it occasionally and I can think of a couple of players I know who play in regular county leagues and the like, but it's is probably more the minority.

Cheers

 

[Fuji]

Probably not all that common, over here you see it occasionally and I can think of a couple of players I know who play in regular county leagues and the like, but it's is probably more the minority.

Cheers

I'm just curious as to how serving works and returning serve works. What serves work best for someone in a wheelchair, and how would one return serves in a wheelchair? (I'm imagining a body serve or a high kicker, which would cause some problems?)

Thanks for your time Ash Smith!

-Fuji

 

[Ash_Smith]

No probs Fuji!

Obviously a kicker gives more margin for error over the net and creates more bounce, which makes it harder to return when balls are above shoulder height (especially where depending on their disability some players have an even tougher time up there than usual!). That said, you'll still see a real mix of flat(er), slice and kick serves used depending on the tactical intention, with approx 70% going to the backhand or body (at least if the player is being tactically sensible!)

Returns are relative, it is harder to return a kicker to the backhand (disability considered as above), but then the kicker is not bouncing as high as the contact point for the serve is lower by default.

Hope that answers your question?

Cheers

 

[Local Girl]

Check this out from the recent USTA Super Seniors National Championships:
http://www.usta.com/Play-Tennis/UST...nis_makes_its_mark_at_super_senior_nationals/

 

[Fuji]

No probs Fuji!

Obviously a kicker gives more margin for error over the net and creates more bounce, which makes it harder to return when balls are above shoulder height (especially where depending on their disability some players have an even tougher time up there than usual!). That said, you'll still see a real mix of flat(er), slice and kick serves used depending on the tactical intention, with approx 70% going to the backhand or body (at least if the player is being tactically sensible!)

Returns are relative, it is harder to return a kicker to the backhand (disability considered as above), but then the kicker is not bouncing as high as the contact point for the serve is lower by default.

Hope that answers your question?

Cheers

Perfect! Thanks a ton for the answer!

-Fuji

 

[LeeD]

Hit heavy topspin looper balls to bounce over their heads, then hit sliced short drop shots.

 

[MrCLEAN]

Resurrecting this one. I'm playing a tournament this weekend in 3.5 singles, and there is a guy who plays (and wins)in Wheelchair Open singles and doubles. Not sure how the ratings work between wheelchair and "standard", but if he beats me, he beats me. Had never encountered this before, I'm looking forward to watching him play.