It could be a wet start to wheelchair tennis at the iconic Roland-Garros during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, with showers forecast on day two. Despite the weather, fans can expect thrilling matches and emerging talent.
The competition kicks off with preliminary rounds. The men’s singles draw is wide open, especially following the retirement of Tokyo gold medallist Shingo Kunieda, the most successful men’s wheelchair tennis player in history.
In the women’s singles, Dutch sensation Diede de Groot aims for consecutive Paralympic golds, solidifying her dominance in the sport.
On Friday, excitement is brewing as South Africa’s Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole face Chile’s Francisco Cayulef and Diego Perez. Ramphadi had a standout 2023, clinching his first Grand Slam quad doubles title in Paris and rising to the top five in the quad singles world rankings. He’s looking to make a big impact in his Paralympic debut.
In women’s doubles, American duo Dana Mathewson and Maylee Phelps will take on Japan’s Momoko Ohtani and Saki Takamuro. Mathewson, a singles and doubles champion at the 2023 Parapan American Games, is competing in her third Paralympic Games in Paris.
Full Wheelchair Tennis Programme
Medal Showdown in Para Athletics
Para athletics, the largest Paralympic sport, kicks off with 14 medal events scheduled for Friday at Stade de France. The women’s discus F55 promises a thrilling start, with different gold medallists in the last three major championships. Defending Paralympic champion Dong Feixia of China will face tough competition from Mexico’s Rosa Maria Guerrero Cazares, the 2023 World Champion, and Colombia’s Erica Maria Castano Salazar, the 2024 World Champion.
In the men’s 5000m T11, Brazil’s Yeltsin Jacques is aiming to extend his winning streak, following his Tokyo 2020 Paralympic victory and a world record at Kobe 2024.
Tunisia’s Raoua Tlili is seeking another gold in the women’s shot put F41. The world record holder (10.55m) has already claimed gold in Rio, Tokyo, and Kobe.
Uzbekistan’s Asila Mirzayorova is the favorite in the women’s long jump T11, coming off back-to-back world championships in Paris 2023 and Kobe 2024. Notably, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Silvania Costa of Brazil did not qualify for Paris.
Para Cycling Heats Up
The Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines saw world records tumble on the first day of competition, and more records may fall on day two. Para cyclists will compete in eight medal events, with fierce rivalries expected.
Spain’s Alfonso Cabello Llamas, the Tokyo gold medallist, continues his rivalry with Great Britain’s Jody Cundy in the men’s C4-5 1000m time trial. Australia’s Emily Petricola, the world record holder, is defending her Tokyo gold in the women’s C4 3000m individual pursuit, with USA’s Shawn Morelli, Canada’s Keely Shaw, and Australia’s Meg Lemon all vying for podium spots.
