The next is one among a number of spotlights being printed by Tennis Canada this month as a part of its Victory will likely be HERS fundraising marketing campaign. They inform the tales of 5 inspirational girls for whom tennis has performed a significant position and contributed in 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 as we speak.
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 one among success by means of perseverance, in opposition to the chances. 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 actual fact, 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 pals. Nonetheless, when she was 12, her congenital challenges introduced one other powerful resolution; reconstructive surgical procedure on her ear would convey 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 to be again on as a turning level in her life for the proper causes. “If I had chosen to not do the surgical procedure, I might have possibly 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 instructed she attempt tennis at their native membership. On the time, Frédérique – who wears a prosthetic – was unaware that wheelchair tennis was an possibility 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 cherished it a lot and wished to proceed. I began by enjoying standup tennis as a result of I didn’t know I may play wheelchair tennis. I knew it existed, however didn’t know prefer it was accessible for me.”
That modified in the summertime of 2022. In the future at follow, Frédérique’s coach requested for volunteers for ball children at a match happening the following 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 attributable to forecasted rain.
“Once I went on-court to have the coaching session for the ball children, I used to be carrying shorts and so you can see my prosthetic,” she mentioned. Additionally on the occasion was Canadian wheelchair tennis participant, Barry Henderson. When he seen Frédérique, the 2 bought speaking about their frequent experiences as amputees and Barry satisfied her to attempt her hand on the sport.
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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 slightly 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 enjoying ITF tournaments and, earlier than lengthy, gained a status as a promising participant on the tour. Quick ahead a few brief years and Frédérique is already residing as much as the hype. In 2024 alone, she received the Birmingham Nationals, Canada’s wheelchair tennis nationwide championships, and her first ITF Futures match in Vancouver.
Her largest 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 purpose that took dedication, focus and persistence, making it all-the-more satisfying as soon as it was achieved.
“It was an unimaginable expertise,” she mentioned. “I labored actually arduous, performed a variety of tournaments. And once I obtained the acceptance listing and I lastly knew that I bought in, I used to be so, so glad. This stress that was there all 12 months, simply disappeared. Going there was like a dream coming true.” In New York, she reached the semi-finals, dropping solely to the eventual champion, Japan’s Yuma Takamuro.
Wanting forward, Frédérique has lofty ambitions which embrace qualifying for Los Angeles 2028 and to in the future win a Paralympic medal. However, she’s additionally conscious about the position she has to play off the courtroom, as a lady in wheelchair tennis who has the flexibility to encourage others to attempt the game or develop into a fan.
“It’s sort of unreal considering that I generally is a position mannequin to some girls and women. I hope if folks see my story, they’re going to start out 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 not too long ago unveiled the Wheelchair Tennis Complete Participant Improvement Pathway (WTWPDP), which offers suggestions to information participant growth at every stage and foster a lifelong ardour for wheelchair tennis. It’s an initiative Frédérique will likely be essential within the sport’s growth.
“Due to Tennis Canada as a result of they’re actually useful for creating wheelchair tennis, together with the brand new program [the WTWPDP] that went out not too long ago. 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 girls overcome boundaries and obtain victories on and off the courtroom. Be part of us as we speak in making a extra equitable future in tennis. Frédérique is proof of what’s potential once we spend money on applications that empower girls and women in tennis. Her journey conjures up us to dream greater and work more durable towards an equitable future within the sport. Donate as we speak.
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