The next is certainly one of a number of spotlights being revealed by Tennis Canada this month as a part of its Victory shall be HERS fundraising marketing campaign. They inform the tales of 5 inspirational ladies for whom tennis has performed a significant function and contributed in the direction of victories of their private {and professional} lives.
At present, we concentrate on Frederique’s story. By supporting Tennis Canada’s Recreation. Set. Fairness. initiative, you may make an actual distinction within the lives of girls and women, each on and off the courtroom. Donate at present.
Frédérique Bérubé Perron’s exceptional rise on the Canadian wheelchair tennis scene started simply a few years in the past. That’s arduous 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 certainly one of success by means of perseverance, in opposition to the percentages. 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, in truth, wheelchair tennis actually helped me settle for my amputation and never concern exhibiting it.”
– Frédérique Bérubé Perron
Frédérique grew up collaborating in a number of sports activities, together with basketball, hockey and karate. Her favorite was soccer, which she performed competitively in addition to with associates. Nevertheless, when she was 12, her congenital challenges introduced one other powerful resolution; reconstructive surgical procedure on her ear would carry an finish to her participation in any contact sports activities.
It was a alternative she made with a heavy coronary heart however one she seems again on as a turning level in her life for the best causes. “If I had chosen to not do the surgical procedure, I’d have perhaps by no means discovered tennis,” she mentioned. “I’m actually glad that it occurred.”
After the process, Frédérique started the seek for her new sporting ardour. Her mother urged she strive 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 follow, 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 might play wheelchair tennis. I knew it existed, however didn’t know prefer it was accessible for me.”
That modified in the summertime of 2022. At some point at follow, Frédérique’s coach requested for volunteers for ball youngsters at a match going down the subsequent 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 as a consequence of forecasted rain.
“After I went on-court to have the coaching session for the ball youngsters, I used to be sporting shorts and so you may see my prosthetic,” she mentioned. Additionally on the occasion was Canadian wheelchair tennis participant, Barry Henderson. When he seen Frédérique, the 2 acquired speaking about their frequent experiences as amputees and Barry satisfied her to strive her hand on the sport.
READ: Tennis evokes victories in Natasha Irani’s private life and company profession
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 just a little coaching session. I attempted wheelchair tennis for the primary time in June 2022, and I fully 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 quick years and Frédérique is already dwelling as much as the hype. In 2024 alone, she gained the Birmingham Nationals, Canada’s wheelchair tennis nationwide championships, and her first ITF Futures match in Vancouver.
Her greatest victory, although, was turning 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 persistence, making it all-the-more satisfying as soon as it was achieved.
“It was an unbelievable expertise,” she mentioned. “I labored actually arduous, performed a variety of tournaments. And once I acquired the acceptance record and I lastly knew that I acquired in, I used to be so, so glad. This stress that was there all yr, simply disappeared. Going there was like a dream coming true.” In New York, she reached the semi-finals, shedding solely to the eventual champion, Japan’s Yuma Takamuro.
Wanting forward, Frédérique has lofty ambitions which embody qualifying for Los Angeles 2028 and to someday win a Paralympic medal. However, she’s additionally aware of the function she has to play off the courtroom, as a lady in wheelchair tennis who has the power to encourage others to strive the game or turn into a fan.
“It’s type of unreal considering that I generally is a function mannequin to some ladies and women. I hope if individuals see my story, they’re going to begin enthusiastic about 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 lately unveiled the Wheelchair Tennis Complete Participant Improvement Pathway (WTWPDP), which supplies suggestions to information participant improvement at every stage and foster a lifelong ardour for wheelchair tennis. It’s an initiative Frédérique shall be essential within the sport’s improvement.
“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 lately. I hope that’s going to assist attain a lot of gamers as a result of we don’t have sufficient proper now.”
Your assist helps ladies overcome boundaries and obtain victories on and off the courtroom. Be part of us at present in making a extra equitable future in tennis. Frédérique is proof of what’s attainable after we put money into applications that empower ladies and women in tennis. Her journey evokes us to dream greater and work tougher towards an equitable future within the sport. Donate at present.
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