Wheelchair tournament begins today at RTC
The Rome Tennis Center’s gates and amenities are designed to cater to wheelchair athletes, like those competing in the annual Clocktower Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament.
Cole Wooten of Augusta starts a match at the Downtown Tennis Center during the annual Clocktower Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. This year’s tournament begins today.
Rome has a reputation for embracing adaptive sports. We have hosted the Clocktower Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament for three years.
Clocktower Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament won the USTA-GA Wheelchair Tournament of the Year award in 2014 and 2015.
Local community involvement, including volunteers from the Coosa Valley Tennis Association and local sponsors, has created a top-notch tournament.
The Clocktower Classic Wheelchair Tennis Tournament will be held at the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College today through Sunday.
This tournament is part of the Georgia Wheelchair Grand Prix series.
Singles play will begin this evening with doubles play beginning Saturday morning and final matches being played Sunday morning.
Today and Saturday a 1 p.m. clinic will be held for local youths and adults to come out and try the sport. Adaptive sport chairs will be available for use during the clinics.
Two-time U.S. Paralympic tennis player Karin Korb, who has been inducted into the USTA-GA Tennis Hall File / Rome News-Tribune of Fame, will conduct a “Train the Trainer” clinic for tennis professionals, physical therapists, PE teachers, recreational teachers and coaches to teach them the basics of wheelchair tennis as part of the grand opening festivities today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Over the past four years, Rome Sports has donated adaptive sports equipment to local rehab organizations.
“Tennis is for anybody — regardless if you run or roll,” said Ann Hortman, director of Rome Sports.
Wheelchair tennis is played by the same rules — the only difference is the wheelchair player is allowed two bounces.
Wheelchair tennis is one of the only sports that is integrated with able-bodied players. An able-bodied player and a wheelchair player are matched against another able-bodied/wheelchair pair of comparable ability to play doubles.
The wheelchair players are entitled to two bounces, while the able-bodied players get one bounce.
“Our goal is to get a wheelchair program up and running at the new tennis center,” said Hortman.
“Rome offers an incredibly intimate setting for each and every level of wheelchair tennis player. I’m excited for the all the players to experience the incredible facility the city has to offer,” Korb said.
The Rome Tennis Center was built with the wheelchair player in mind. Amenities are over and above ADA requirements.
The on-court access gates are wider to accommodate the camber of a sport chair. The clubhouse has user activated automatic doors.
The organization promotes the growth of tennis, organizes and manages tennis tournaments, USTA and non USTA leagues, socials and beginner 101 programs. The organization also promotes sportsmanship, recreation and health in the community. CVTA supports the schools, 100 Black men summer camps, Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA with equipment donations.
What is the importance of the new Rome Tennis Center of Berry College to the CVTA?
It will allow state tournaments to be held at the RTC at Berry along with the downtown center. It will also be used for local league.
Who can people contact if they want to play league tennis? How would you recommend a beginner get
involved? Tennis 101. We are beginning a class that will start Aug. 22 followed by a mini-league competition.
For $50 participants get six weeks of lessons with a pro, a tennis racket and your first league fee will be waived if you sign up within six months of completing the course.
What is the best part of playing tennis, league or otherwise? Playing tennis is wonderful physically and emotionally. It provides for competition, great fun and lifetime friendships.
Are there opportunities for non-league players to find competition on local courts? Yes, drills and pick-up tennis matches are common.
Source: Barbie Lewis, CVTA president, and the CVTA’s website at www.cvta.us/