Midwest Wheelchair Tennis Championship underway in GR

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — One of the largest wheelchair and adaptive sports tournaments in the country is happening this weekend in Grand Rapids.

“If you were to come out to this event and you are not inspired or motivated, I don’t know what to tell you,” Tom Flynn, sports coordinator for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Center, said.

Day two of the Midwest Wheelchair Tennis Championships saw hot weather and fierce competition — 34 athletes representing eight states, and two continents, battling in a game they love.

“It’s one of the few events that athletes that participate in wheelchair or para-standing have, as opposed to able-body who, if you’re an able-bodied tennis player, you could probably play in a tournament every weekend,” Valerie Wallace, wheelchair athlete, said. “It’s very, very competitive, and it’s a lot of fun for all of us.” 

Wallace has played tennis in a wheelchair since 1981 but says this year, things are different.

“The para-standing group is a brand new…competition that we are starting through the USTA (United States Tennis Association). It’s for individuals who do not play in wheelchairs,” she said.

Para or parallel-standing athletes are categorized into four levels: P1 athletes have one arm amputated, P2 is for those with one leg amputated, P3 is for those missing two or more limbs and P4 is for those with all four limbs affected.

“The only difference for them (is) they’re just like a wheelchair, they get two bounces. The first bounce always has to be in, the second one does not necessarily have to be in,” she said. “We can now all play against each other, and we can play with people who have no injuries whatsoever. Families can play together, it’s a great way everyone can get out and have fun.”

The fun, of course, takes a backseat to winning.

“It’s a universal game that everybody can do, and that’s the beauty of it,” Wallace said.