RICK
DRANEY

"I hope my greatest achievement was that I was respected as a player and competitor on and off the court, that I was known as someone who strived to conduct himself with dignity and honor.” - Rick Draney

PICKING UP THE RACQUET

American Rick Draney became a quadriplegic at 19 years old, as a result of a car accident. Three years later, in 1984, he would pick up a racquet for the first time via a class offered at Saddleback College (California). His competitive wheelchair tennis career began later that same year.

DEVELOPING THE QUAD DIVISION

Draney is recognized as an integral contributor to the development of the quad division, both in the United States and on an international stage. Draney was a number 1 ranked US quad division player for many of the formative years of the division.

In 1998, the quad division was officially recognized by the ITF, and the official quad division world rankings began. Draney reached No. 1 in singles and doubles on those rankings for a total of 118 weeks and 102 weeks, respectively. The quad division of the World Team Cup was officially added in 1998. Draney was a member of that inaugural US team, winning titles in 1998 and 2003. Over the course of Draney’s Hall of Fame career, he also earned 20 singles and doubles Super Series titles at the US Open and British Open Championships, and Gold medals at the 1993 International Stoke Mandeville Games and the 1995 US Olympic Festival.

ON THE COURT AND FIELD

Notably, Draney was also a world-class wheelchair rugby player. Draney won three national championships, received three national championships all-tournament team awards, and won Gold medals with Team USA at the 1994 World Championships and the 2000 Paralympic Games.

A LIFELONG ADVOCATE

Not only is Draney one of the most accomplished wheelchair tennis athletes, but he was a driving force for progress and prominence of the division, throughout his career and long after. He pioneered the innovative "taping" technique, as an effective option for players with limited hand function who needed a method to secure the racquet in their hand. Draney organized and coached at wheelchair tennis clinics and camps in numerous countries, as well as contributed to instructional manuals and videos. Although a wrist injury precluded him from realizing his dream of competing in the inaugural quad tennis event at the 2004 Paralympic Games, his advocacy helped pave the way for the division to be recognized and included at future Grand Slams and Paralympic Games. After his competitive career, Draney served for nine years as the Tournament Committee Chairperson of the US Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships (San Diego, CA).

AN AWARD-WINNING LEGACY

Draney has been honored with the Brad Parks Award by both the USTA and the ITF in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of wheelchair tennis. The 2023 International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee has reflected, “I will always remember what so many people did that provided the opportunities for me to play and compete…I hope to do the same for others.”

Jason Harnett, Draney’s coach and long-time friend, says, “What impresses me is Rick’s loyalty and his desire to do things the right way. His consistency and standards are what make him remarkable. Rick was a pioneer. His influence goes beyond the wheelchair tennis world. Facing challenges that most would shy away from, Rick proved to be a transformative force. Today’s athletes owe him the highest level of gratitude for his contributing efforts to the tour and sport they enjoy today.”