‘Godfather’ of Wheelchair Tennis to Be Inducted Into Hall of Fame

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: April 8, 2010

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The 1970’s were important for the growth of tennis. The Association of Tennis Professionals, Women’s Tennis Association, ATP Doubles computer rankings and wheelchair tennis, were all created throughout the decade.  

On July 10, 2010, the International Tennis Hall of Fame will honor one of these aspects of tennis, for the first time. The “godfather” of wheelchair tennis, Brad Parks, will be inducted into the ITHOF.

 

“I am amazed, and also excited that wheelchair tennis has achieved such stature,” Parks said.

 

In 1976, at the age of 18, Parks sustained a paralyzing injury in a freestyle skiing accident. He fell in love with wheelchair tennis after playing with his parents, five months after his accident. He decided to spread the word about the new addition to the sport, at various camps and exhibitions. A year later, the first-ever wheelchair tennis tournament was held, at the Los Angeles City Parks and Recreation Department. Parks won the tournament.

 

Regardless of this accomplishment, Parks remains humble.

 

“I think of this being more about wheelchair tennis, than Brad Parks,” Parks said.

 

Parks will be inducted alongside doubles legends, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde and Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva, creator of Open tennis, Derek Hardwick and 12-time Grand Slam champion, Owen Davidson. He will be in the Contributor category as well as the first person in the Wheelchair Tennis category. Parks was up against Derek Hardwick and legendary coach, Nick Bollettieri in the Contributor category.

 

“I really did not expect to get in,” Parks said.

 

Parks has seen a lot of talented people involved in wheelchair tennis since it began. Two of these, Randy Snow and Ellen de Lange, were in...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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