THE BEST STORIES OF THE GAME, FROM the BEST PLAYERS IN THE GAME, THROUGH THE DEFINING VALUES OF OUR GAME.
This year, we’re taking you even deeper to share more stories and more moments from our archives and our Hall of Famers. From our youtube channel, to our social media feed, our podcast, and our website you’ll find inspirational stories and moments that pull at our heart strings and remind us why we fell in love with this game. The moments that gave us chills, that made us stand in our seats, that made our jaws drop – these are the moments that define our sport.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of wheelchair tennis
TennisWorthy is your front-row seat to the stories that make tennis unforgettable.
Throughout April, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of wheelchair tennis, we’ll spotlight the pioneers, champions, and changemakers who have shaped the sport. Through exclusive video, podcasts, and more, we’ll share their most inspiring moments—bringing fans closer to the game beyond the baseline.
THE ADAPTIVE ATHLETE:
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
What if one question could change the course of sport?
In 1976, Brad Parks asked: “I wonder if you can play tennis in a wheelchair?”
That moment didn’t just spark an idea, it ignited a global movement.
Today, wheelchair tennis spans more than 40 countries, features over 160 tournaments, and stands as one of the most powerful examples of how sport can evolve, include, and inspire.
From makeshift chairs on public courts…
To the bright lights of the Paralympic Games…
To the biggest stages in professional tennis…
This is more than history, it’s a story of resilience, innovation, and impact far beyond the baseline.
Along the way, Hall of Famers Randy Snow, Monique Kalkman, Rick Draney, Esther Vergeer, Chantal Vandierendonck, and David Hall, helped shape the sport into what it is today, while Parks himself became the first wheelchair tennis inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
50 years later, the question isn’t if. It’s how far can it go next?
THE TENNISWORTHY PODCAST
Patrick McEnroe and Chris Bowers celebrate the 50th anniversary of wheelchair tennis. Featuring powerful conversations with three of its most decorated champions, Diede de Groot, Daniela Di Toro, and Gordon Reid, the episode explores how wheelchair tennis continues to expand its reach, meaning, and impact far beyond the court.
Together, they reflect on the evolution of wheelchair tennis from its earliest days to its place on the sport’s biggest stages, illustrating how innovation, resilience, and community have driven its growth. From Paralympic triumphs to redefining perceptions of athleticism, this conversation reveals how wheelchair tennis has not only broken barriers, but has also helped transform tennis into a more inclusive, global force that continues to change lives and shape culture.
