Circle C Tennis Club hosts "OPT Adaptive Tennis Clinic"

 

 

Players participating in the OPT Clinic

Circle C Resident Mike Haynes being coached by Dennis Ralston
OPT Photos by D.Hackett/USTA Tennis

The "Orthotic and Prosthetic Technologies Adaptive Clinic" held at the Circle C Tennis Club on
October 8, was a resounding success. Over 15 players with prosthetic aids and four players in wheelchairs had an opportunity to play tennis with Circle C Pro-Emeritus, Dennis Ralston, and General Manager and Director of Tennis, Fernando Velasco. The players ranged in age from 7 years old to 75 years plus.

This is the third consecutive year that Circle C Tennis Club has hosted this special clinic, with the goal that players with special needs become acquainted with the "game of a lifetime". The event was sponsored by Aaron Foreman, owner of the "Orthotic and Prosthetic Technologies of Austin." Circle C resident, Mike Haynes, is an expert at playing Wheelchair Tennis tournaments and has competed all over the United States. He was happy to share his experiences and skills with the rest of the players and the coaches. Also, Coach Ralston, a former US Open and Wimbledon Champion, had some excellent advice for all of the players on how to adjust to playing with their new challenges in life. He lost part of his leg a year and a half ago after having surgery. Now he is back on the court teaching and coaching players of all levels and abilities.

 

QuickStart Circle C Tennis Players compete well against LTA Tennis Team

Left to right: Kaleigh Shumaker, Arik Suez, Gabriela Saidleman, Carina Vockell, Jayden Macias, Jordan Jewell, Satvick Raghunathan, Megan Zeng, Alyssa Gorden, Coach Mari. Not in picture: Cole Rudy, Sydney Marin, Eleanore Nelson and Khael Kluger.

The Circle C Tennis Club QuickStart 10 and Under Team participated in the 2011 Austin USTA Tournament. In the first round, they lost to the Lost Creek team by the score of 2-7. In the Consolation Round, on Saturday, October 29, they defeated the team from LTA by the score of 6-3.

This is the first exposure of competition for the Grand Prix Tennis players of the Club. They play with smaller tennis rackets, special tennis balls and reduced courts of 60 feet long instead of the 78 feet long. Circle C Tennis Club Coach Mari mentions "playing with these special rackets, balls and court size, gives the players a chance to hit the ball more often and helps them achieve a greater enjoyment of the game". She and the parents were most impressed with the quality of play and more importantly with the fun and that the participants had. The Circle C Tennis Club team will be playing in the finals of the tournament at a later date.