By Mark LaRotonda, Special Programs Vice President
The ALTA Wheelchair program is in the final stretch for 2026. The summer brought us fun yet competitive Run/Roll matches while battling the heat and rain. We had four, weekly clinics where inexperienced players learned the basics of wheelchair tennis, and the more experienced players fine-tuned their skills. We added four new players this year and even had a returning player after a three-year hiatus.
In June, several of our ALTA players attended the very hot Music City Wheelchair Tennis Classic in Nashville, Tennessee. It was an all-ALTA A doubles championship match — Samir Jusupovic and Rob Popelka defeated David Williams and Ki Yun. Williams also placed second in the A singles division. Other ALTA members who braved the high temperatures were Ken Moore, Jennifer Speer, and Caleb Yun.
We will finish off the year with Fall Wheelchair Doubles matches. There is still time to come down and join in on the fun. We are at the Hudlow Tennis Center in Norcross on Tuesday evenings. If you are interested, please reach out to me at specialprogramsvp@altatennis.org.
As I come to the end of my term as vice president of Special Programs, I reflect on the accomplishments we’ve made in ALTA Wheelchair tennis. Most notably the addition of juniors. The way to grow sports programs — no matter what the sports program is — is to get our youth involved.
So, as I sign off … adios, hasta la vista and keep ‘em between the lines!
