In recent years, BUCS has become more inclusive, and started to offer several para-sport competitions. The wheelchair tennis championships is certainly central to this, allowing wheelchair athletes an opportunity to represent their universities. These athletes are definitely amongst some of the most inspiring that BUCS has to offer. The mental and physical strength to recover from the difficulties these athletes have faced, to being able to go for BUCS gold, is awe-inspiring.
Those heading onto the court will be hoping to leave with a gold BUCS medal around their neck. The competition will be fierce, with strong guest entries going head to head with the strongest wheelchair tennis players that each university has to offer. The entertainment level will be high, and this is not an event you are going to want to miss. Freshered has the lowdown on all you need to know ahead of the event, including profiles on the favourites going into the action.
Who are the favourites ahead of the tournament?
Abbie Breakwell will fancy her chances at her home tournament. The Loughborough University student is ranked 48th in the International Tennis Federation’s March 2022 rankings, with the 18 year old has a 60% win rate in ITF competitions. Blackwell reached a career-high junior ITF ranking of 2nd in October 2021. She has represented Great Britain at the World Team Cup, and boasts the record of being the only wheelchair tennis player to earn medals in both the singles and doubles at three straight National School Games. Breakwell also placed 10th in the 2021 Shaw Trust Disability Power 100.
Joshua Johns is competing at the championships at only 16 years old, but has already started to make his mark on the wheelchair tennis circuit. He has already found his way onto the ITF Single Rankings, and has consistently been ranked in the top 20 for the ITF Junior Singles Rankings. After 7 games, Johns boasts an impressive 71% win record, and earned his first call up to Great Britain team for the 2021 World Team Cup. He is entering the championships as a guest, and will be hoping to add a BUCS medal to his already spectacular tennis CV.
Location and Date
There is not long to wait now, as the event is taking place on Sunday 3rd April. Those hoping for wheelchair tennis victory will be heading to Loughborough University‘s state-of-the-art Tennis Centre, which is home to the LTA National Academy. Parking outside the venue is limited as a result of building work, but there is additional spaces in university’s car park 9, which can be found on this interactive map.
How will the competiton run?
According to the event guide on the BUCS Website, the competition is using a FAST4 format, with the draw being released shortly.
What is a FAST4 format?
FAST4 differs from the convetional method of scoring tennis is a number of ways. Firstly, scoring will be done using 1, 2, 3, game instead of the traditional 15, 30, 40, game. Also, there is no deuce, or advantages, meaning if the score is 3-3, the person to score the next point wins the game. Moreover, traditionally, if the ball hits the net and continues over from a serve, a let is called, and the serve is taken again. However, in FAST4, play with continue in this circumstance.
The sets are also shorter, with four games earning the set, instead the conventional number of six. If the set reaches 3 games all, a tie-breaker will be played for the set. This is decided by the first to 5 points, with the ‘next point wins’ rule introduced if the tie-breaker reaches 4-4. FAST4 can be made up of either best of one, two, or three sets.