Wheelchair tennis exhibition to feature US Open Champ

A wheelchair tennis exhibition, featuring former US Open Singles and Doubles wheelchair tennis champion Nannette Oatley and former United States Junior Doubles Champion Rick Carter, has been added to the lineup of the Symmetry Software Women’s $25,000 Pro Circuit Tennis Championships at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex.

The wheelchair exhibition is Feb. 21, between the tournament’s singles and doubles finals play. The singles final begins at noon, with the wheelchair exhibition immediately following the trophy presentation.

Oatley, is a resiliency expert and licensed professional counselor, former radio talk-show host, author, speaker, mother, wife, wellness consultant and the 2001 U.S. Open wheelchair tennis champion. In 2002, Oatley became the first recipient of the “Director’s Recognition Award” presented by Women in Networking, an affiliate of the National Association of Female Executives.  In addition, she has accrued twelve championship tennis titles – six in singles and six in doubles – eight of them international wins. 

Carter is both the boys and girls Varsity and Junior Varsity tennis teams coach at Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee.  Competitively, Carter was the 1986 U.S. Junior Doubles National Champion.  In addition he has competed competitively throughout the country garnering numerous singles and doubles championships.  As a coach his teams have captured various city, regional, and tournament championships including the 2007 Kiwanis Team Tournament.

The Symmetry Software Women’s $25,000 Pro Circuit runs from February 14 – 21 and tickets are on sale at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex, 14469 West Paradise Lane.

USTA Pro Circuit graduates have accounted for more than 50 Grand Slam singles titles and, overall, 14 Pro Circuit veterans have risen to No. 1 in the world. That list includes Americans Pete Sampras, Lindsay Davenport, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Andy Roddick. Each year, more than half the players in the US Open men’s and women’s draws have either played or are currently playing on the USTA Pro Circuit.

For information on this tournament or any program at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex, contact John Austin at John.Austin@surpriseaz.com or call 623-222-2400.