The third annual Jana Hunsaker Memorial Wheelchair Tennis Tournament will be at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from June 5 through June 8.
The tournament is being sponsored by the U.S. Tennis Association in conjunction with the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association, International Tennis Federation and the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour. A total of $5,000 in prize money will be awarded. Admission is free to the public.
Approximately 55 players from all over the world including the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Peru, France, Canada and the Netherlands will be competing in the tournament, which will include divisions for men, women, a quadriplegic, juniors and masters.
Jana Hunsaker, who died 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 she 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 chairperson. “Jana gave a lot of herself to help develop wheelchair tennis.”
Wheelchair tennis follows the same rules as regular 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.
The Association is an independent national veterans service organization whose staff works cooperatively with other veterans and disability groups. For more information on the association, visit www.unitedspinal.org
