Australian comic and tv persona Adam Hills is a passionate tennis participant and hopes to encourage extra individuals to play the game he loves.
Australia, 12 September 2024 | Leigh RogersSpicks and Specks, however what they may not know, is that I’ve additionally been enjoying tennis since I used to be 5 years previous. I’ve performed competitively, I even coached for some time, but it surely was all the time towards able-bodied individuals.
Having a incapacity hasn’t held you again from you enjoying?
I’ve a prosthetic foot, which actually doesn’t cease me from transferring that a lot. I bear in mind attending the Paralympic Video games at Beijing in 2008 and I used to be speaking to the coach of the Australian wheelchair tennis crew. When he heard I can play, he invited me to leap in a wheelchair and prepare with them. I simply thought ‘No, that doesn’t sound correct’. However the best way it’s, my incapacity requires me to play wheelchair tennis. I bear in mind considering on the time, ‘I want there was a greater manner I might play towards individuals with comparable disabilities, however whereas standing’.
You’ve since found that’s doable, haven’t you?
Fortunately, I’ve. It seems there’s a rising motion world wide referred to as Para Standing Tennis. The president is a Spanish man Ivan Corretja, whose brother Alex is a former world No.2. He has a below-knee amputation and is main the Para Standing Tennis motion, which is now recognised by the Worldwide Tennis Federation and performed in additional than 21 international locations. I performed within the first Para Standing Tennis event in Sydney final yr. It was run by Metropolis Group Tennis, who frequently run adaptive periods, and was supported by Tennis Australia. There have been solely 5 us in that event, so all of the classes have been lumped in collectively. But it surely was a promising begin.
Are you able to clarify how Para Standing Tennis works?
It’s standing tennis for individuals with disabilities, however there are completely different guidelines, relying in your incapacity. If you’re a below-knee or an elbow amputee, it’s simply the usual guidelines of tennis. For those who’re brief stature, an above-knee amputee or for those who’ve acquired cerebral palsy that restricts your motion, then you definately get two bounces, which ranges the enjoying subject.
> LEARN MORE: Para Standing Tennis
What’s your individual type like on the tennis courtroom? We hear you typically hit with Australian legend and former world No.1 doubles participant John Fitzgerald.
Nicely in response to Fitzy, my forehand is my finest shot. It’s very stable and constant. The bizarre factor is my backhand was actually good, however I’ve misplaced it.
What did you be taught whereas capturing the “Tennis for Each Physique” advertising and marketing marketing campaign with Tennis Australia?
I’ve been actually targeted on constructing the profile of Para Standing Tennis and exploring the best way we will make this extra accessible for extra Australians, which Tennis Australia is fortunately supporting. So, it’s been nice to additionally be taught extra concerning the completely different adaptive codecs accessible. It was fascinating to look at how individuals adapt to their disabilities to play tennis as properly. From wheelchair tennis to pathways for these with Blind and Low Imaginative and prescient (BLV), an mental impairment (PWII) or Deaf and Exhausting of Listening to (DHoH), there actually is one thing for everybody.
> LEARN MORE: Inclusion and Variety pathways in Australian tennis
Why do these adaptive codecs and pathways matter?
I’ve performed tennis my entire life, so it’s not like I used to be ever excluded from the sport, I simply wasn’t capable of play towards different individuals like me. Having pathways for individuals of all skills opens up an entire bunch of extra potentialities. It additionally helps foster an excellent sense of belonging, which is usually a massive problem for these of us with a incapacity.
What was your motivation for fronting this marketing campaign? Do you hope to see extra individuals with a incapacity take up tennis?
Most positively! Through the years I’ve spoken to a number of Paralympians, who’ve gained gold medals of their respective sports activities, however have mentioned they might have a lot fairly performed tennis. It simply hasn’t all the time been an accessible possibility for everyone, however that actually is altering now, which is so pleasing to see. This marketing campaign will not be solely about these with a incapacity both. It is usually about selling the game for gamers of all ages, stage and identification and dispelling myths about who can and might’t play tennis. Whether or not you’re younger or previous, match or unfit, straight or queer, or solely have one foot. Everyone seems to be welcome and able to enjoying tennis.
Lastly, what’s your message to these contemplating enjoying tennis?
Do it, what are you ready for?! Tennis is numerous enjoyable and actually is an inclusive sport. Get out on courtroom and provides it your finest shot.
Discover your strategy to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!
