Australian comic and tv character Adam Hills is a passionate tennis participant and hopes to encourage extra individuals to play the game he loves.
Australia, 12 September 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Australian comic and tv character Adam Hills is proudly fronting a brand new advertising marketing campaign for Tennis Australia.
The “Tennis for Each Physique” marketing campaign, which launched final week, highlights the adaptive and inclusive pathways that ensures tennis is for everyone.
This can be a trigger that Hills, who was born with no proper foot, is captivated with, as he explains on this interview with tennis.com.au.
Adam, inform us about your connection to tennis?
Most individuals in all probability recognise me because the host of Spicks and Specks, however what they may not know, is that I’ve additionally been enjoying tennis since I used to be 5 years previous. I’ve performed competitively, I even coached for some time, but it surely was at all times in opposition to able-bodied individuals.
Having a incapacity hasn’t held you again from you enjoying?
I’ve a prosthetic foot, which actually doesn’t cease me from shifting that a lot. I keep in mind attending the Paralympic Video games at Beijing in 2008 and I used to be speaking to the coach of the Australian wheelchair tennis group. When he heard I can play, he invited me to leap in a wheelchair and prepare with them. I simply thought ‘No, that doesn’t sound correct’. However the way in which it’s, my incapacity requires me to play wheelchair tennis. I keep in mind pondering on the time, ‘I want there was a greater approach I might play in opposition to individuals with comparable disabilities, however whereas standing’.
You’ve since found that’s potential, haven’t you?
Fortunately, I’ve. It seems there’s a rising motion around the globe referred to as Para Standing Tennis. The president is a Spanish man Ivan Corretja, whose brother Alex is a former world No.2. He has a below-knee amputation and is main the Para Standing Tennis motion, which is now recognised by the Worldwide Tennis Federation and performed in additional than 21 international locations. I performed within the first Para Standing Tennis match in Sydney final yr. It was run by Metropolis Neighborhood Tennis, who repeatedly run adaptive classes, and was supported by Tennis Australia. There have been solely 5 us in that match, so all of the classes have been lumped in collectively. Nevertheless it was a promising begin.
Are you able to clarify how Para Standing Tennis works?
It’s standing tennis for individuals with disabilities, however there are totally different guidelines, relying in your incapacity. If you’re a below-knee or an elbow amputee, it’s simply the usual guidelines of tennis. In case you’re brief stature, an above-knee amputee or if you happen to’ve bought cerebral palsy that restricts your motion, then you definitely get two bounces, which ranges the enjoying area.
> LEARN MORE: Para Standing Tennis
What’s your individual kind like on the tennis court docket? We hear you typically hit with Australian legend and former world No.1 doubles participant John Fitzgerald.
Nicely in response to Fitzy, my forehand is my finest shot. It’s very strong and constant. The bizarre factor is my backhand was once actually good, however I’ve misplaced it.
What did you study whereas taking pictures the “Tennis for Each Physique” advertising marketing campaign with Tennis Australia?
I’ve been actually centered on constructing the profile of Para Standing Tennis and exploring the way in which we will make this extra accessible for extra Australians, which Tennis Australia is fortunately supporting. So, it’s been nice to additionally study extra concerning the totally different adaptive codecs out there. It was fascinating to observe how individuals adapt to their disabilities to play tennis as effectively. From wheelchair tennis to pathways for these with Blind and Low Imaginative and prescient (BLV), an mental impairment (PWII) or Deaf and Onerous of Listening to (DHoH), there actually is one thing for everybody.
> LEARN MORE: Inclusion and Range pathways in Australian tennis
Why do these adaptive codecs and pathways matter?
I’ve performed tennis my complete life, so it’s not like I used to be ever excluded from the sport, I simply wasn’t in a position to play in opposition to different individuals like me. Having pathways for individuals of all talents opens up an entire bunch of extra potentialities. It additionally helps foster a terrific sense of belonging, which could be a massive problem for these of us with a incapacity.
What was your motivation for fronting this marketing campaign? Do you hope to see extra individuals with a incapacity take up tennis?
Most undoubtedly! Through the years I’ve spoken to a number of Paralympians, who’ve received gold medals of their respective sports activities, however have stated they might have a lot slightly performed tennis. It simply hasn’t at all times been an accessible possibility for everyone, however that actually is altering now, which is so pleasing to see. This marketing campaign isn’t solely about these with a incapacity both. Additionally it is about selling the game for gamers of all ages, stage and id and dispelling myths about who can and may’t play tennis. Whether or not you’re younger or previous, match or unfit, straight or queer, or solely have one foot. Everyone seems to be welcome and able to enjoying tennis.
Lastly, what’s your message to these contemplating enjoying tennis?
Do it, what are you ready for?! Tennis is a whole lot of enjoyable and actually is an inclusive sport. Get out on court docket and provides it your finest shot.
Discover your solution to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on court docket and have some enjoyable!
