By Kavita & Luca Reese
Meet Luca Reese, one of our youngest para-standing tennis players aged 10.
Para-standing tennis is tennis for people of all ages with physical impairments such as limb loss, limb difference or cerebral palsy or short stature who play tennis competitively without the use of a wheelchair.
Luca has been playing tennis since he was 4 years old and is passionate about the sport! He started competing on the tennis circuit early on in his playing career and last year started competing at Regional and National Para-standing competitions after attending some of the regional para-standing taster sessions based around the country where he was given a very warm welcome. He played the Regional event in Surbiton Surrey and the World Championships in Barcelona and continues to dream big!
In Luca’s words “I’ve made lots of friends and got lots of inspiration and confidence from playing with people with limb differences just like me and it’s pushed me to see how far I can take this sport!”
As his mum I have valued the warm welcome and support and friendship that we have received from the Para-standing community, and it’s been a joy seeing Luca grow in confidence and self-belief.
Para-standing tennis is growing steadily with regional, national, European and World championships with the goal being to make it recognised as a Paralympic sport. The race is on to get more para-standing players playing at the grass roots level. To get involved and have a go keep an eye out for local “try and play” hubs in your area and get stuck in!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Kavita and Luca
The LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) has put together a factsheet about para standing tennis – find out more here.
Upcoming taster session:
