The next is one in all a number of spotlights being printed by Tennis Canada this month as a part of its Victory will likely be HERS fundraising marketing campaign. They inform the tales of 5 inspirational ladies for whom tennis has performed a serious function and contributed in the direction of victories of their private {and professional} lives.
In the present day, we deal with Frederique’s story. By supporting Tennis Canada’s Recreation. Set. Fairness. initiative, you may make an actual distinction within the lives of girls and ladies, each on and off the courtroom. Donate immediately.
Frédérique Bérubé Perron’s exceptional rise on the Canadian wheelchair tennis scene started simply a few years in the past. That’s laborious to think about, given she’s now one of many foremost up-and-coming participant within the nation and the world.
READ: “Tennis modified the course of my life” – Vyshnave Sivasankar
Her story is one in all success by way of perseverance, towards the chances. Born with a congenital malformation that led to the amputation of her leg as an toddler, Frédérique has by no means let challenges outline her. As an alternative, she has used tennis as a instrument to rewrite her story and encourage others.
Like many others, the game has deeply impacted her life. On the courtroom, she’s a nationwide champion and aspiring Paralympian. Off it, she’s gained resilience and confidence, although stays supremely humble.
“My amputation by no means restrained me from doing something. And, the truth is, wheelchair tennis actually helped me settle for my amputation and never concern displaying it.”
– Frédérique Bérubé Perron
Frédérique grew up taking part in a number of sports activities, together with basketball, hockey and karate. Her favorite was soccer, which she performed competitively in addition to with mates. Nevertheless, when she was 12, her congenital challenges offered one other robust choice; reconstructive surgical procedure on her ear would convey an finish to her participation in any contact sports activities.
It was a selection she made with a heavy coronary heart however one she appears to be like again on as a turning level in her life for the precise causes. “If I had chosen to not do the surgical procedure, I’d have perhaps by no means discovered tennis,” she stated. “I’m actually completely happy that it occurred.”
After the process, Frédérique started the seek for her new sporting ardour. Her mother instructed she attempt tennis at their native membership. On the time, Frédérique – who wears a prosthetic – was unaware that wheelchair tennis was an choice however nonetheless completely loved and excelled on the able-bodied model of the game.
“I had my first apply, and I used to be like ‘oh, that’s my sport’. I liked it a lot and needed to proceed. I began by taking part in standup tennis as a result of I didn’t know I may play wheelchair tennis. I knew it existed, however didn’t know prefer it was accessible for me.”
That modified in the summertime of 2022. In the future at apply, Frédérique’s coach requested for volunteers for ball children at a event going down the following day at their membership. She raised her hand and turned as much as discover it was a wheelchair tennis occasion, which had moved from its meant out of doors venue because of forecasted rain.
“After I went on-court to have the coaching session for the ball children, I used to be sporting shorts and so you could possibly see my prosthetic,” she stated. Additionally on the occasion was Canadian wheelchair tennis participant, Barry Henderson. When he observed Frédérique, the 2 obtained speaking about their widespread experiences as amputees and Barry satisfied her to attempt her hand on the sport.
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Shortly after that dialog, Barry launched Frédérique to Kai Schrameyer, Tennis Canada’s Nationwide Coach of Wheelchair Tennis. The remaining is historical past… “I spoke with Kai and had slightly coaching session. I attempted wheelchair tennis for the primary time in June 2022, and I utterly fell in love with the game.”
Inside weeks, she was taking part in ITF tournaments and, earlier than lengthy, gained a fame as a promising participant on the tour. Quick ahead a few brief years and Frédérique is already residing as much as the hype. In 2024 alone, she gained the Birmingham Nationals, Canada’s wheelchair tennis nationwide championships, and her first ITF Futures event in Vancouver.
Her largest victory, although, was changing into the primary Canadian in historical past to qualify for a junior Grand Slam in wheelchair tennis on the US Open. It was a aim that took dedication, focus and endurance, making it all-the-more satisfying as soon as it was achieved.
“It was an unbelievable expertise,” she stated. “I labored actually laborious, performed a number of tournaments. And once I obtained the acceptance listing and I lastly knew that I obtained in, I used to be so, so completely happy. This stress that was there all 12 months, simply disappeared. Going there was like a dream coming true.” In New York, she reached the semi-finals, dropping solely to the eventual champion, Japan’s Yuma Takamuro.
Trying forward, Frédérique has lofty ambitions which embrace qualifying for Los Angeles 2028 and to sooner or later win a Paralympic medal. However, she’s additionally conscious about the function she has to play off the courtroom, as a girl in wheelchair tennis who has the power to encourage others to attempt the game or grow to be a fan.
“It’s sort of unreal considering that I is usually a function mannequin to some ladies and ladies. I hope if folks see my story, they’re going to begin occupied with wheelchair tennis and play and even simply watch it.”
READ: Carson Branstine’s Tennis Quest has been a Journey of Self-Discovery
As a part of its wheelchair tennis program, Tennis Canada not too long ago unveiled the Wheelchair Tennis Entire Participant Growth Pathway (WTWPDP), which gives suggestions to information participant growth at every stage and foster a lifelong ardour for wheelchair tennis. It’s an initiative Frédérique will likely be essential within the sport’s growth.
“Due to Tennis Canada as a result of they’re actually useful for growing wheelchair tennis, together with the brand new program [the WTWPDP] that went out not too long ago. I hope that’s going to assist attain plenty of gamers as a result of we don’t have sufficient proper now.”
Your assist helps ladies overcome obstacles and obtain victories on and off the courtroom. Be a part of us immediately in making a extra equitable future in tennis. Frédérique is proof of what’s doable after we spend money on packages that empower ladies and ladies in tennis. Her journey evokes us to dream larger and work more durable towards an equitable future within the sport. Donate immediately.
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