Development of Wheelhair Tennis (Part 2)

Mistery said that wheelchair tennis changed his life. Because of tennis, he traveled around the world and made lifelong friends. During those times, he had various extraordinary experiences, including chatting with Agassi in the locker room before the US Open final.

Mistry participated in the Paralympics four times, winning 68 championships and ranking in the world's top 10 in singles and doubles for 12 years. He recalled, "In the early days, I had to pay a £ 200 entry fee, which included food, accommodation, and the cost of participating. One time, I was participating in the French Open and living with a Frenchman. I didn't know him, and the organizing committee just arranged for us to be in one room. His snoring was so loud that I had to sleep with a pillow over my head. Nowadays, every wheelchair athlete has their own room, accompanied by a coach, and rides in first-class. The world of tennis has changed, and even in the end of my career, I can earn £ 20000 a year to participate in 20 competitions."

Holding wheelchair tennis matches in the same time and space as a Grand Slam has changed people's perception. "This is not a simple combination, but a deep collaboration," said Zheng Mistry. "The Australian Open has integrated wheelchair tennis into the competition for the able-bodied, not only increasing exposure, but also giving wheelchair tennis credibility to the Grand Slam arena, enhancing society's inclusiveness towards people with disabilities." This successful exposure has brought wheelchair tennis players into the public eye.

Nowadays, it is common to hold wheelchair events in ATP or WTA competitions. The combination with healthy tennis has promoted the sustainable development of wheelchair tennis.