Register to receive unrivalled access to the world of tennis. One of the most memorable moments of the Paris Paralympic Games was Frenchman Stephane Houdet celebrating with his young children, Aurore and Gabriel, in front of a packed Court Philippe Chatrier.
It is fair to say that the Paris Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Event really caught the imagination of the record-breaking crowds at Roland Garros β the first Grand Slam venue to host the Games.
Revolutionary and transformational are just two words which could be used to describe the Games, which saw an endless stream of intriguing storylines and daily instalments of emotion-ridden history. A total of , tickets were sold across the nine days of competitive action as the skill and drama which defines wheelchair tennis were showcased to a new and hungry global audience.
Houdet, who at the age of 53 was the oldest player competing at the Paris Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Event, more than played his part, although proof of success can sometimes emerge in the most unlikely of scenarios. It was the first time for me watching the Paralympics and it was full of love. You have a nice family. When I am in my shorts and at the airport with my wheelchair, people recognise me. But it is not so normal to be approached in the street in the middle of nowhere.
Nothing compares to how it is now. A post shared by ITF Tennis itftennis. For Houdet, Paris was a career-defining event years in the making. He was actually considering retiring from wheelchair tennis in before the prospect of contesting the Paralympics on the clay of Roland Garros lured him back from the brink. Saint Nazaire-born Houdet then quit his job in the French army β he was delivering a sports rehab programme for soldiers β so he could fully focus on preparations.
