Nick Taylor doesn’t let anything get in his way of perfection. He has perfected his drive, stamina and tennis serve – all from his power wheelchair.
Nick is one of the top 36 wheelchair tennis athletes on the planet who will compete at the UNIQLO Wheelchair Doubles Masters November 5-9 at Mission Viejo’s Marguerite Tennis Pavilion. This is the second straight year the City of Mission Viejo will host the event. It is the only U.S. venue for the year-end championships.
Taylor, a Wichita, Kansas native, is one of the top American wheelchair tennis players in the world. He holds the #2 spot in doubles ranking and is ranked #6 in quads singles.
He has collected three gold medals with partner David Wagner in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games along with a bronze medal in the 2012 men’s singles.
He and Wagner won the US Open USTA Wheelchair Tennis Championships and together clinched the Men’s Doubles in the Atlanta Open.
Taylor took home the men’s singles title in the Daegu Open in Korea and doubles with partner Mika Ishikawa. He was the 1999 USTA Wheelchair Tennis Player of the Year, 2012 US Olympic Team of the year with Wagner and the 2013 US Open Doubles Champion. Since 2000, he has won more than 30 championships and shows no signs of slowing down.
Born with arthrogryposis, a congenital disease that contracts and restricts muscular development, Taylor is one of the few that play with a power wheelchair. By kicking the ball into the air with his foot, Taylor – by far – has the most unique serve of anyone in wheelchair tennis. When he began playing at 14 with the goal of making his high school team, Taylor would practice hitting the tennis ball against his grandmother’s garage while family members tossed it to him. He soon realized that in order to be competitive, he needed to practice much longer and figure out a way to do it himself. Today, he has a mean 70-mph forehand serve.
Don’t miss this inspirational and talented athlete compete November 5-9 in Mission Viejo.
For more information, visit http://www.itfwheelchairmasters.com.
Kelly Tokarski
The City of Mission Viejo
Public Information Specialist
