‘One Point Here Or There’: Doubles Duo Bullish In Defeat

Australia’s open men’s wheelchair doubles team won more points than their opponents and earnt the growing respect of an appreciative crowd on a Roland-Garros outside court but were edged out of Paris 2024 by their formidable Brazilian opponents. 

In a captivating and nerve-jangling first-round match, Australian duo Ben Weekes and Anderson Parker were eliminated 5-7, 6-2, [8-10]. 

It could have easily gone the other way for the relatively new combination of Paralympic veteran Weekes and Anderson, a former highly ranked junior who became re-eligible for the sport two years ago after seven years away. 

One day after their singles exits, 39-year-old Weekes and Anderson, 26, were beaming with pride after the narrow defeat to powerful Brazilian Daniel Rodrigues and his countryman Gustavo Carneiro Silva. 

“Thinking about the Aussie Open [six months ago] when we played together, we’re a completely different team,” said Weekes, a six-time Paralympic. “I think it shows the work we’ve put in through the year to get here.

“It sucks that we lost – it was so close – but actually it was a really good performance from both teams. 

“The atmosphere was amazing. It was like us against each other on the court, but also the crowd against each other.” 

The opening set went to the wire but Weekes and Anderson lifted noticeably to race through the second set. By the time the super tie-breaker started (the first team to 10 points with a two-point lead), it was anyone’s match and the Australians were safe in the knowledge that, at the very least, they’d competed strongly. 

A 0-5 deficit in the ‘breaker was a jolt to the system, before the discrepancy edged out to 8-3. Weekes and Anderson were unpanicked however and fought to the finish. 

“It was always going to be tough for us in this tournament,” said Weekes. 

“To get as close as we got I mean, honestly, we could be still in this tournament if we won one like point here or there. 

“I think it’s our best match as well as a team, so it shows that we’re continuing to build.” 

Anderson, who has a congenital foot deformity that affects his ability to run and took him to wheelchair tennis, said he’d relaxed suitably in front of the boisterous fans, who competed with their contrasting Australian and Brazilian chants. 

“It’s the best tennis match Ben and I have played together,” said Anderson. 

“I think it’s the first time for me that I’ve actually relaxed and enjoyed the entire match in, my opinion, hitting [few] bad shots for me and [more] very good shots. 

“It’s probably the thing I’m most going to remember from my first Paralympics – we were [only] a few points off.” 

Ranked in the 40s, Anderson is determined for more improvement. Next January’s major Melbourne Park is front of mind too. 

“The next big event that I’m pushing for it and to get my ranking as low as possible is the Australian Open – that’s six months from now,” he said. 

“I had my debut this year as well, so hopefully I can work on some of the things that Ben’s helped me with, especially in doubles, my mental approach is getting there.” 

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By: Scott Spits, Paralympics Australia
Published: 1 September 2024