By Shima Grover
READY TO BE INSPIRED?
The Eighth Annual MAC Wheelchair Tennis Open is coming to Midlothian Athletic Club June 3rd and 4th. The tournament will be preceded by a Sportable Run/Roll Round Robin on Friday 6-9 pm.
Have you seen wheelchair tennis? Come watch the tournament and be inspired. Wheelchair tennis is an American innovation. Brad Parks was a teenager when he became paralyzed due to a skiing accident in 1976. Jeff Minnebraker was his recreational therapist. Wheelchair tennis was the result of their collaboration. Wheelchair tennis is now being played in over 80 countries with more than 160 tournaments. The MAC Wheelchair Open will welcome a group of dedicated wheelchair tennis players on June 3.
Wheelchair tennis is exciting and fast paced. The special sport wheelchairs are lightweight and stable. The tennis chairs weigh less than 20 pounds, and wheels are cambered for stability. 
In addition, they have no brakes! Come and watch wheelchair players maneuver their chairs. Better yet, come and play in the Sportable Run/Roll Round Robin where you can be a “run” player on your feet or a “roll” player on a tennis chair. We will have tennis chairs available for you to try. The Sportable Run/Roll Round Robin is a social event that provides everyone with an opportunity to interact and gives tournament players a chance to warm up on tournament courts. Free food and a cash bar will be available.
Who plays in MAC Wheelchair Open? Players of all ages travel from as far north as New York and as far south as Atlanta. One of the past MAC tournament players was selected to 
represent the USA in the BNP Paribas World Cup competition in Sardinia, Italy May 1-7. The World Cup competition is a Davis Cup equivalent for wheelchair tennis. We are hoping that he and one of his teammates will play in MAC Wheelchair Open. Do come and watch tournament matches. Admissions are FREE!
We are dedicated to providing a great tournament experience for players. We need spectators, volunteers, sponsors and donors. The Richmond Tennis Association and MAC have been sponsors from day one. Einstein Bros Bagels, Chick-fil-A at the Chesterfield Plaza and Saladworks in Richmond donate food so that tournament players receive complimentary meals on site. Thank you very much food donors! An anonymous donor makes travel grants available to players in need. Many area businesses including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Costco, Martin’s, the Fresh Market, Richmond Magazine, Citi Open, Washington Kastles and USTA make this event special by donating products and services as drawing prizes for the player party. We encourage other businesses to join our donor list. We are delighted to recognize all donors in our tournament publications.
To volunteer, please visit the Sign Up Genius page with the link below.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d49aaaf283-2017
