Rio 2016 preview: Wheelchair tennis
08.09.2016Wheelchair tennis rolls into action on 9 September at the Olympic Tennis Centre in the Barra Olympic Park.
Six-time US Open champion Shingo Kunieda heads the field in New York.
© • Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
With six medals to contest across three divisions, there is no shortage of wheelchair tennis action at Rio 2016.
After another fascinating year for the sport, Great Britain and the Netherlands have dominated the men’s and women’s singles and enter the Games as single medal favourites.
In the quad categories, Australian Dylan Alcott will be looking to add a Paralympic medal to his impressive previous years after claiming the past three Grand Slam titles, while the quad doubles will see the undisputed pair of Nick Taylor and David Wagner going for their fourth consecutive gold medal.
For the past four Paralympics Dutch star Esther Vergeer has claimed the women’s gold medal. But her retirement has left the door open to Dutch stars Aniek van Koot, Jiske Griffioen and Marjolein Buis all following in her tracks, as well as Great Britain’s Jordanne Whiley and Japan’s Yui Kamiji. The battle for the women’s singles gold medal could be the most fiercely contested in the competition.
Shingo Kunieda has dominated the men’s singles division for many years. In 2014 the Japanese star claimed every Grand Slam, but this season has not been plain sailing after an injury hampered his Rio preparation.
Great Britain’s Gordon Reid has risen through the world rankings after winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and will be looking to mount a serious challenge.
The fight will not just be between Reid and Kunieda, with Frenchman Stephane Houdet aiming to turn his 2012 silver into gold, while last year’s Parapan Am Games winner Gustavo Fernandez will hope to continue his impressive 2016 form.
Location: Olympic Tennis Centre
Schedule: 9-16 September
Mark your calendars for…
Tuesday 13 September – Quad doubles medal matches, women’s doubles bronze medal match
Wednesday 14 September – Quad singles medal matches, women’s single bronze medal match
Thursday 15 September – Women’s single gold medal match, men’s doubles medal matches
Friday 16 September – Men’s singles medal matches, women’s doubles gold medal match
Ones to watch
Shingo Kunieda (JPN): The two-time men’s singles gold medallist may have struggled with injury this year, but his Paralympic experience will put him in the frame for a medal.
Gordon Reid (GBR): The 2016 Australian Open and Wimbledon winner is a firm favourite to carry on his form from SW19.
Jordanne Whiley (GBR): The three-time doubles champion at Wimbledon and bronze medallist at London 2012 will want a gold to her budding collection.
Jiske Griffioen (NED): The 31-year-old has won nine Grand Slams since the last Paralympics and wants to add a gold medal to her stunning collection.
David Wagner (USA): A legend alongside Nick Taylor in the doubles competition, Wagner will be determined to clinch a singles gold medal this time round.
Dylan Alcott (AUS): Entering Rio in his debut wheelchair tennis Paralympics, the Aussie already has two Paralympic medals in wheelchair basketball.
How to follow
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