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Date: 22 Apr 2009 |  Photographer: None / Not Applicable
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| 07 May 2009 | |
| Brad Parks on the Invacare World Team Cup |
As the pioneer of wheelchair tennis and one of the driving forces behind the first World Team Cup in 1985, Brad Parks (USA) reflects on 25 years of the ITF's annual flagship wheelchair tennis team event...
Parks will be among a host of special visitors to the 25th Anniversary of the Invacare World Team Cup in Nottingham, Great Britain from 27 July to 2 August 2009.
Brad, you are the founder of wheelchair tennis and the World Team Cup. Could you tell us a little about how it all began.....? The US Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships was growing internationally and many players came in the weekend before to practice. We thought it might be fun to have a causal event and dinner to get the players from different countries together to get to know one another, practice and socialize.
Can you describe the first World Team Cup....the atmosphere, the mood among the players, etc? It was very casual. I think it was fun for some of the new international players to have a chance to player against better players from other counties. After the event, I think we all agreed we had something special.
This year, we celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the World Team Cup, how do you feel about the way the event has grown and evolved? I am thrilled that it has grown into a great event, and that it has grown better and better every years. My own involvement has decreased over the years. For many years I continued to participate in tennis camps, but other than that I have no real involvement.
Do you have a favourite World Team Cup? I loved the ones in Irvine, the last couple we had there were fun because I was still playing fairly well, especially in doubles. I played in one in Austria and one in the Netherlands, too. They were really exciting because it meant so much for these counties to have the event. They were both very professionally run, with opening ceremonies and good crowds. It was like being at a small Paralympics. I think maybe the one in Austria was most special. We lost in the doubles final to the French team, but they were so excited to win, I think this was our first loss.
What do you think of the standard of tennis being played on the tour these days? It is fantastic, it has been a few years since I have seen wheelchair tennis being played and I look forward to seeing the best at this year’s Invacare World Team Cup.
You and your team won the first seven World Team Cups. How did this feel? The first few years it was expected and we were not really challenged that much. As the years went on the other players improved and it became a big deal to win. I think now it has been years since the US Men have won. It goes to show what can be done with good programs and player development.
Have you ever been to Nottingham before and what are your feelings about attending the 25th Anniversary event this year? I played in the British Open once, It was at the very end of my playing days and I don’t think I did very well. I know this has been the site of many great tournaments and it should be a fantastic site for the 25th World Team Cup! I am really looking forward to coming to Nottingham this year. I am excited to see how the game has changed and how good the players are today.
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