(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

wheelchair tennis

Aspiring Paralympians take to the tennis courts in Kamloops

Jul 8, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS – The countdown is on for the 2024 Paralympic Summer Games in Paris and, with just one week left to qualify, athletes around the world are pushing to secure their spots.

Over the weekend, the ninth annual Kamloops Legacy Wheelchair Tennis Tournament took place, offering competitors an opportunity to boost their world rankings.

Sixteen-year-old Charlie Cooper is the Number One-ranked junior in U.S. wheelchair tennis.

“This is my first win in the men’s division,” said Cooper. “It’s my first time being at the level and even winning now, it’s pretty exciting for me.”

Going into the weekend, Cooper was ranked 105th in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) standings, but after his win in Kamloops on Sunday (July 7), he broke the top 100 (now ranked #94).

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“It feels awesome, kind of like relief because usually I lose in the quarter-final and barely make any semifinals,” said Cooper.

Only the top 32 men in wheelchair tennis are guaranteed a spot at the Paralympic Games and with just one more week to boost their rankings, the pressure is on.

“I’m in a wildcard spot,” said Thomas Venos, ranking 56th with ITF. “Hopefully, I do well this weekend. My ranking should be up to a good spot where I should have a good chance at a wildcard.”

Venos is Canada’s top-ranking player but is still 22 spots away from a direct entry to this year’s Paralympic Games.

“I’ve been to two para Pan Am games, but nothing compares to the Paralympics. That’s just like the biggest event of all,” he said. “There’s so many different athletes from all over the world, different sports, and it’s just like the pinnacle of adapted sport.”

Cooper likely won’t make it to Paris this summer, but with his first men’s division title win under his belt, he’s inspired for the future.

“My goal is to be the best in the world and I mean, it may take a few years. I know it’s going to take more work,” said Cooper, adding that he has his sights set on the 2028 games in Los Angeles. “Being in the Paralympics– representing the USA– is a dream of mine.”

At 16 years old, Cooper is one of the youngest in the circuit.

“I think I am, you know, probably the youngest here but that doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “It’s just a number, I think, and how fast you can move and how well you can think is most important.”

The ITF calls wheelchair tennis one of the fastest-growing wheelchair sports in the world.

In the last eight years, Venos has seen a big difference in the sport.

“Definitely, it’s growing. You see a lot bigger crowds at certain tournaments and just more support and more awareness to the sport,” Venos said, adding that he wants to see the momentum grow. “Hopefully one day we can combine it into the able-bodied tournaments as well, like the ATP Tour, WTA Tour – go on like the same events as them at the same venues.”