Hunsaker Tournament Draws World Class Players

by Mary Kate Carew

The 4th Annual Jana Hunsaker Memorial Wheelchair Tennis Tournament took place at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from Thursday, May 13, through Sunday, May 16. The tournament was sponsored by the USTA in conjunction with United Spinal Association, International Tennis Federation (ITF), and the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour. The tournament had men’s, women’s, quadriplegics’, juniors’ and masters’ divisions. A total of $7,500 in prize money was awarded.

Fifty-two athletes competed in the four-day tournament from the Eastern United States, Canada, and Europe, including ten members of the 2004 Paralympic Teams from the United State (Julie Dorsett, Karin Korb, Larry Quintero, Jon Rydberg, Stephen Welch), France (Frederic Cazeaudumec, Florence Gravellier, Regis Harel, Lahcen Majdi), and Canada (Helen Simard).

“Just being here and competing in this tournament is really important to me,” said Karin Korb, Paralympic Athlete and runner-up in the women’s singles and doubles at the tournament. “I’ve met Jana many times, she was a wonderful woman. It’s an honor to play in a tournament in her name.”

Jana Hunsaker, who passed away in 2000, was a tennis instructor at the USTA National Tennis Center. She had been a major advocate for wheelchair tennis and several years ago was instrumental in starting a wheelchair tennis program at the center.

Wheelchair tennis follows the same rules as able-bodied tennis except that the wheelchair player is allowed two bounces of the ball instead of one. Only individuals medically diagnosed with a permanent mobility-related disability can participate in ITF-sanctioned wheelchair tennis tournaments.

Mary Kate Carew is Assistant Public Affairs Officer.

Winners, Runner-Ups, and Consolations

Men’s Open Singles

W-Steve Welch
Arlington, Texas

RU-Jon Ryberg
Oakdale, Minnesota

CON-John Becker
Boca Raton, Florida

Men’s Open Doubles

W-John Becker/Steve Welch

RU-Frederic Cazeaudumec/Lahcen Majdi
Layrac, France/Les Ulis, France

Men’s A Singles

W-Robert Meehan
Atlanta, Georgia

RU-William Lehr
New York, New York

CON-Van Annunziato
Port Jefferson, New York

Men’s B Singles

W-Harlon Matthews
Lawrenceville, Georgia

RU-Felix Suero
Kendall Park, New Jersey

CON-David Harrison
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Men’s B Doubles

W-Brad Evans/Felix Suero
Owings Mills, Maryland

RU-Pani Herath/David Gant
South Miami, Florida/Riviera Beach, Florida

Men’s C Singles

W-Edwin Lopez
Amityville, New York

RU-Tommy Gates
Decatur, Georgia

CON-Jamie Clare
Englewood, New Jersey

Men’s C Doubles

W-Tommy Gates/Edwin Lopez

RU-Stefan Bozydaj/Joe Mendez
Highland, New York/Brentwood, New York

Men’s D Singles

W-Lauren Konetsky
Levittown, New York

RU-Elizabeth Treston
Long Beach, New York

Men’s D Doubles

W-Lauren Konetsky/Dylan Levine
Paramus, New Jersey

Women’s Open Singles

W-Florence Gravellier
St. Sulpice De Reman, France

RU-Karin Korb
Atlanta, Georgia

CON-Beth Arnoult
Kula, Hawaii

Women’s Doubles

W-Beth Arnoult/Florence Gravellier

RU-Julia Dorsett/Karin Korb
Boca Raton, Florida