Wheelchair tennis serves up a winner

As the final preparations are made for Wimbledon, Shirley Tart takes her seat for tennis with a difference.

On Monday, it's the start of the greatest tournament in the British tennis calendar. The All England Championships, known simply as Wimbledon.

This weekend, before a ball has been hit, is when the game's hopes and dreams are still intact for everyone, only to unravel over the next fortnight for most, bringing glory for just a few.

The fortunate amongst us will be down with the crowds, the rest will be glued to the television.

It's the ultimate in armchair sport . . . and talking of sitting down, anyone for wheelchair tennis?.

A keen tennis fan and player since schooldays, I can't play at the moment because of a hip problem. Some days, even walking is done very gingerly which suggests my playing days are over. So what fun to actually hit a ball again as if you meant it!

It was made possible by Shropshire Wheelchair Tennis Club who invited me for a session at Shrewsbury Tennis Centre, playing the game their way. It was fantastic – and so are they.

The group was formed by Val Fisher who broke her neck in a horse riding accident five years ago, and is just amazing. A postmistress from Baschurch with a husband and four boys, her attitude was that she had to get a life again, and that was that.

Then there is Tony who had polio when he was three, used crutches and is now in a wheelchair, while Derek and Paul both have spinal cord injuries. All of them play fast and furious tennis, and none of them had ever played before.

So let's start with the technical stuff. The chairs they use are something else. At its simplest, big wheels slanted for the right balance and the smaller ones used to move the chair, slot into the frame with just a click. And the finished product is as light as a feather.

As Tony points out with a chuckle, if you propel yourself a bit too enthusiastically, you'll be off on to the next court. They cost around £2,000 each, but help is sometimes available from the Dan Maskell Trust.

For me, it was feet into supports, straps across my legs and waist – if you are paralysed and can't feel from the waist down, you must be securely fastened in.

Then a quick lesson on how to hold the racquet while propelling the chair, followed by tips on actually moving to hit the ball if it's not coming directly at you.

It helps, of course, if you know the game and have played it but I've got a long way to go to match their skills.

Bob Walker, an able-bodied player who helps the wheelchair users, threw me ball after ball just so I could get into the routine of hitting from a different level!

And guess what, after a couple of hours, Val and friends were treating me like one of them and hip or no hip, I'd join that crowd like a shot – probably lose every game, mind!

Val says: "After my accident, I'd been in the spinal unit for about nine weeks, when they asked if I'd like to take part in a day showing different sports activities which might help rehabilitation. Tennis was one, played with soft red balls and mini nets and I was hooked."

And that's where Shropshire Wheelchair Tennis Club began. Val sorted out tournaments, leagues and appealed for others to join her. Her own ranking points mark her out as a formidable player.

Deputy president of the Lawn Tennis Association, Cathie Sabin who lives in Much Wenlock, is one of the biggest names in the game's management our county has produced and is immensely proud of the wheelchair group.

Cathie will be at Wimbledon where several of our young players will be on linesman duty and leading juniors playing on the middle Saturday. My wheelchair friends will be watching as avidly as everybody else.

The big question hanging over the Championships? Can Andy do it this year.

It's always the same whoever is Britain's number one. In Diamond Jubilee Year, it would be fantastic if a Brit raised a trophy. Virginia Wade did it in 1977 for the Silver Jubilee and while it's not her particular sport, the Queen was there and was delighted.

This year, there has already been a Wade/Murray moment – when Virginia called Andy a Drama Queen. Mmm, not looking good for a shared strawberry tea then, is it?

Ah well there's always good sportsmanship. So long as Argentinian David Nalbandian isn't around. His temper tantrum and disqualification last weekend in the final at Queen's was hardly a good start to the lawn tennis season – nor in the Olympic spirit.

Yet come Monday, we'll be there with our tennis hopes high for a fortnight which does credit to the game, whoever wins or loses.

But even the biggest glamour names will have to go some to match the guts and inspiration of my wheelchair players. Winners before a ball's been hit!

Don't miss Shirley Tart's daily Wimbledon diary, starting in Monday's Shropshire Star.