Tennis Association To Host Free Wheelchair Tennis Workshop At H-F Gym

HOMEWOOD, IL — A wheelchair tennis workshop will be taking place at the Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet and Fitness Club next week, officials with the Chicago District Tennis Association and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab told Patch.

A spokesman for the CDTA said the group wants to encourage people of all abilities to pick up the "lifelong sport" during National Tennis Month.

The workshop will be presented by Paul Moran of Northfield who was ranked number 20 in the world for wheelchair tennis.

According to officials, wheelchair tennis was invented 46 years ago by an American skier who was paralyzed in a skiing accident and bound to a wheelchair.

The sport's worldwide competition takes place annually and is the second most watched disability sporting event, ranking just behind the International Paralympic Games.

The event is free for all participants and takes place May 14 from 11 a.m. to noon at H-F Racquet & Fitness Club at 2920 183rd Street. Capacity is 40 participants but a spokesman told Patch there is still time to register.

The group is also hosting workshops across the Chicagoland area throughout the month to promote people of color, Spanish speakers and children in tennis.