The 2024 Paris Paralympics promises to be an exhilarating event, especially for wheelchair tennis enthusiasts. Held at the iconic Roland Garros from August 30 to September 7, 2024, this year’s competition features top athletes from around the world. With thrilling matches, inspiring performances, and a few surprises, the wheelchair tennis events are set to captivate audiences globally. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the sport, this guide provides all the essential information, key highlights, and notable news to keep you updated throughout the games.
Event
- Dates: August 30 – September 7, 2024.
- Venue: Roland Garros, Paris, France.
Key Highlights
- Men’s Singles: Alfie Hewett has reached the semi-finals, continuing his impressive performance.
- Men’s Doubles: Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid from Great Britain have advanced to the semi-finals.
- Women’s Singles: Abbie Breakwell lost in the first round to Maylee Phelps.
- Quad Doubles: Andy Lapthorne and Greg Slade will play in the gold medal match.
Notable News
- Alfie Hewett: The British wheelchair tennis sensation is aiming for double gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
- Google Doodle: Google celebrated the wheelchair tennis event with an engaging doodle featuring animated birds.
Rules
- The ball can bounce twice instead of just once, which leads to some incredible rallies.
- The server must be in a stationary position before serving the ball but is allowed one push of the wheelchair before striking the ball.
Where to Watch
- You can watch live action from the Paralympics exclusively on Channel 4.
Schedule
- August 30, 2024: Men’s and Women’s Singles First Round from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Quad Singles First Round from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
- August 31, 2024: Men’s and Women’s Doubles First Round from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Quad Doubles First Round from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
- September 4-7, 2024: Gold and bronze medal matches starting at 6:00 AM EDT and 7:30 AM EDT.
Medalists
- The official medal standings for all Wheelchair Tennis events at the Paris 2024 Paralympics can be found on the Paralympic Medal Table.
Records
- The Netherlands top the wheelchair tennis medals table with 20 gold, 13 silver, and 10 bronze medals.
- Dutch legend Esther Vergeer is the most decorated athlete in the sport, winning seven golds and one silver.
Notable Performances
- Alfie Hewett has kept his dream of winning a Paralympic gold medal alive after reaching the men’s wheelchair singles semi-final.
- Joachim Gerard, recovering from a post-Tokyo cardiac arrest, marks his fifth Paralympics appearance.