The Third Annual Jana Hunsaker Memorial Wheelchair Tennis Tournament will be held at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from June 5-8. The tournament is being sponsored by the United States Tennis Association in conjunction wi
A total of $5,000 in prize money will be awarded. Players must register by May 9 by contacting Aki Takayama at 718-760-6251 or Patrick Donaghey at 718-803-3782, ext. 271.
The tournament will have men’s, women’s, a quadriplegic, a junior and a masters division.
Jana Hunsaker, who passed away in 2000, was a tennis instructor at the USTA National Tennis Center. She had been a major advocate for wheelchair tennis, and several years ago was instrumental in starting a wheelchair tennis program at the center.
“If it wasn’t for Jana’s dedication and loyalty to wheelchair tennis, I don’t think there would still be a wheelchair tennis program at the USTA,” said Patrick Donaghey, tournament committee chairman. “Jana gave a lot of herself to help develop wheelchair tennis.”
Wheelchair tennis follows the same rules as able-bodied tennis except that the wheelchair player is allowed two bounces of the ball instead of one. Only individuals medically diagnosed with a permanent mobility related disability can participate in ITF-sanctioned wheelchair tennis tournaments.
In existence for 57 years, the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association is dedicated to enhancing the lives of veterans and all Americans with spinal cord injuries or diseases by ensuring quality health care, promoting research, and advocating for civil rights and independence.
