Wheelchair Tennis Trio Named To Represent Australia at Paris 2024

Heath Davidson will compete at his third Paralympic Games with a better understanding of himself and his wheelchair tennis after his former doubles partner Dylan Alcott’s retirement.  

Davidson is one of three athletes who have been confirmed by Paralympics Australia to compete in wheelchair tennis at the Paris Paralympics, starting on August 28.  

Ben Weekes will join his sixth Australian Paralympic Team 20 years after his debut at Athens 2004 and Andy Parker is set to the make his debut a decade after he first played internationally.  

The announcement was made by Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin at the National Tennis Centre in Melbourne attended by Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley.  

“I’m just looking forward to getting over there and competing to the best of my ability because I love wearing the green and gold,” said Davidson, who won the gold medal in the quad doubles with Alcott at Rio 2016 and silver in the same event at Tokyo 2020. 

“It’s been an interesting ride after losing my best mate out there, Dylan, when he retired after the Australian Open just after Tokyo. It’s taken some adjusting. I’ve been working on my mental game a lot, working with my sport psych and figuring out what works best for me on and off the court.  

“Having Dylan around made things easier because we’re good mates and we’d hang out a lot when we were on tour. Since he’s not been around it’s made it a bit harder to take my mind off things when I need to. So, we’ve been looking at things like touring, gym, training and just putting everything into place.  

“It’s been a long journey, I’ve played a lot of tennis and it’s been a bit of a roller coaster. But I feel confident in my tennis, confident that I can put on a show. If I can play for a medal in Paris, I’d be over the moon.” 

 Davidson is ranked No.7 in the world and will play quad singles in Paris. Weekes and Parker are ranked in the 40s in men’s open classification and will play doubles together and singles.  

 “I’m super proud I get to represent my country at my third Paralympics,” Davidson said.  

“It’s also cool to be part of Ben’s sixth Games and Andy’s first. I remember back in Rio how my teammates helped me out and looked after me, so hopefully I can repay the favour to Andy and be there to support the boys as much as I can.” 

McLoughlin welcomed the three players to the Australian Paralympic Team. 

“Wheelchair tennis has produced some of Australia’s greatest Paralympic moments since it was introduced as a medal sport at the Barcelona Games in 1992,” McLoughlin said. 

“From David Hall’s incredible gold medal at Sydney 2000 to Danni di Toro’s amazing career and Dylan Alcott’s successful gold medal defense at Tokyo 2020, Australia has a proud history in Paralympic wheelchair tennis.  

“Our three players for Paris have their chance now to add to that story and I know they will give everything they have to represent Australia to the best of their abilities at the famous Stade Roland-Garros.”

By David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.

Published 5 August, 2024.