WENZEL WINS WORLD CUP

Cairns wheelchair tennis talent aces biggest challenge of his career

CAIRNS has a new world champion, after 15-year-old wheelchair tennis ace Ben Wenzel claimed a world cup in his international debut.

Wenzel was part of the Australian team that beat Great Britain to win the Junior Wheelchair World Team Cup finals in Portugal. Coached by Fred Lay of Grit Tennis Academy at Trinity Beach and Clifton Beach Tennis Clubs, Wenzel has been a talent to watch for some time, and his triumph in Portugal will lift him to another level.

“It was supposed to be about the experience for him,” Lay said. “I think winning it was a bit unexpected. His hard work has paid off. He was pretty excited.”

Lay said Wenzel, who is expected to arrive home late on Wednesday, had put a considerable amount of work into developing the mental side of his game in past year.

“He had the goal that one day he would represent Australia,

but this fast-tracked that considerably,” Lay said.

“He’s been working really hard on his mindset, and becoming more of a role model in his sport.

“As a coach, I’m so proud. It was his international debut, it was about experience, but to win it is fantastic.”

Team manager Marcus Andrews

said Wenzel was likely to feature in the team for years to come.

“There were three players bidding for a position in the team and over the last six months he (Ben) stood out the most, worked hard on his game and played two matches and won both,” Andrews said.

“Looking forward, he’ll be playing in future World Team Cups in the coming years.”

Lay has been a passionate advocate for tennis players with a disability and is hoping to create a hub for wheelchair tennis and blind and low vision tennis players in Cairns.

And in Wenzel he has a player who could already inspire the next generation.