Wheelchair Tennis in FNQ & Grit Tennis
Wheelchair tennis social and development programs predominately run in terms 2 and 3 for wheelchair tennis.
We have rising stars coming through the FNQ Wheelchair system like Ben Wenzel.
Please click the following video to view our wonderful wheelchair tennis program.
Cairns tennis: Teen hoping to be the next Dylan Alcott
Remember the name Ben Wenzel. Like many sporty teenagers, the St Andrew’s Catholic College student has ambitions to represent his country at the highest level.
Remember the name Ben Wenzel.
Like many sporty teenagers, the St Andrew’s Catholic College student has ambitions to represent his country at the highest level on home turf: the Paralympic Games in Brisbane in 2032.
The 14-year-old, who was born with cerebral palsy, will take another step towards his dream when he competes at the Australian wheelchair championships in Melbourne for a third time this weekend.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to expand and play more tennis because there are a lot more competitive people down there,” he said.
Cairns wheelchair tennis player and St Andrew’s Catholic College student Ben Wenzel, 14, will compete in the Australian National Wheelchair Championships, held at the National Tennis Centre in Melbourne from December 3 to 5. Picture: Brendan Radke
“You get lots of matches – more competitive matches – which ultimately leads to me gaining more experience.
“I’m hoping to get some good feedback from the coaches down there and some more match practice – and some good results.”
Wenzel will also attend training camps in Melbourne during the week before the tournament starts on Friday.
He said his biggest inspiration was Australia’s 15-time Grand Slam champion and four-time Paralympic gold medallist Dylan Alcott.
Cairns wheelchair tennis player and St Andrew’s Catholic College student Ben Wenzel, 14, will compete in the Australian National Wheelchair Championships, held at the National Tennis Centre in Melbourne from December 3 to 5. Picture: Brendan Radke
”Because of what he’s done for wheelchair tennis and what he’s accomplished, and what he’s been able to do not just for tennis but for all athletes with disability in all sports,” he said.
It’s a similar path to the one Wenzel wants to take.
“What he does is an inspiration to me and I’m hoping I can follow in his footsteps and hopefully mentor kids and do interviews,” he said.
Wenzel’s coach, Grit Tennis’ Fred Lay, said he was on track to live out his dream of representing Australia.
Cairns wheelchair tennis player and St Andrew’s Catholic College student Ben Wenzel, 14, will compete in the Australian National Wheelchair Championships, held at the National Tennis Centre in Melbourne from December 3 to 5. Picture: Brendan Radke
“When he came aboard he said he wanted to be serious with his tennis,” Lay said.
“The way he’s going, I reckon he can go all the way.
“He’s very dedicated – he lives and breathes tennis.”
Currently ranked No.3 in Australia and No.18 in the world for junior wheelchair tennis players, Wenzel’s aim is to keep improving his ITF ranking in the coming years.
Grit Tennis recently ran a four-week blind/low vision tennis camp for players of all ages in Cairns, with support from Cairns Regional Council and Tennis Queensland.
Lay said the program – the first of its kind in Far North Queensland – was a great success and hoped it could return next year.