"Spiders," 100m Sprints, and Basketball Dunks: The Speed Training Techniques of Wheelchair Tennis Players

 

Picture by David Ramos/Getty Images

Spider, butterfly, and suicide may sound like the names of Marvel superheroes, but they actually refer to power drills that wheelchair tennis players use to enhance their speed on the court. Speed is crucial, especially on the lively clay courts of Roland Garros during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. "I love it. The faster, the better for me," said Dutch quad player Niels Vink in an interview with Olympics.com, expressing his enthusiasm for competing in the heart of French tennis. "My playing style suits it perfectly, so I enjoy clay. The bounce is a bit higher in the stadiums, and the game moves faster, which is great for me." Vink, a double medallist from the Tokyo 2020 Games, thrived in the quick pace during his quarter-final victory over Canada's Robert Shaw on September 2, describing it as one of the “top five” matches of his career. He was well-prepared for the speed of that encounter. The Dutch team, featuring Paralympic and Grand Slam champions like Vink, Diede de Groot, Aniek van Koot, and Sam Schroder, integrates various speed drills into their training regimen to get ready for fast-paced matches. While drills can often feel monotonous, the Dutch players find them enjoyable, referring to them with playful names like “spider” and “butterfly.” Other national teams at Paris 2024 also inject fun into their wheelchair tennis training, improving their speed through friendly 100m sprints and wheelchair basketball games. Discover more about the innovative methods wheelchair tennis players are using to boost their speed on the court and why it is vital for their sport.