The sport of wheelchair tennis began in 1976 with a simple question from future Hall of Famer Brad Parks: "I wonder if you can play tennis in a wheelchair?". After a skiing accident left him paraplegic, Parks hit his first tennis balls from a wheelchair in May of that year. Little did he know, he was sparking a global movement, which celebrates 50 years of growth, innovation and legacy in 2026.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame’s newest digital exhibit The Adaptive Athlete celebrates the remarkable history of wheelchair tennis, tracing the sport’s evolution from its pioneering beginnings to the global stage it commands today.
Explore four chapters of history, from the trailblazers who built the foundation and the era of Dutch dominance to the integration of wheelchair tennis at the Grand Slam level and the incredible athletes shaping its future.
Discover the legendary champions, milestones, and defining moments that made wheelchair tennis what it is today.
Wheelchair Tennis: The Adaptive Athlete IS NOW on display IN THE MUSEUM
Visitors can view the exhibit in-person in the newly renovated Global Gallery.
- David Hall: Resilience for the Record Books
- Rick Draney: Innovation that Changed a Sport
