Meet Benjamin Wenzel, a 16-year-old from Cairns, who will compete in the US Open 2023 junior wheelchair competition.
New York, USA, 6 September 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Australia’s top-ranked junior wheelchair player, Benjamin Wenzel, is set to make his Grand Slam debut at US Open 2023.
The world No.7 will compete in the boys’ junior wheelchair events at Flushing Meadows.
“It is like a dream come true for me,” said the 16-year-old from Cairns.
“It’s a super cool opportunity and hopefully the first of many Grand Slams for me.”
Wenzel spoke to tennis.com.au ahead of his making his major debut in New York …
How excited are you to compete at the US Open?
It’s really cool to be part of a tournament that’s that big. I’ve been to a couple of Grand Slams, but never actually been a part of it with accreditation, playing and actually seeing behind the scenes. That’s the really cool bit.
You’re the second Australian junior wheelchair tennis player to have the opportunity to play at the US Open. Has Saalim Naser, who competed last year, shared any advice?
He told me that New York is busy and just expect the unexpected. That was the first year that they had held the event and the USTA have told us they’re making a lot of improvements this year. It’s still pretty exciting that a junior wheelchair competition has been introduced at the US Open. Hopefully the Australian Open brings it in eventually too.
Have you travelled to America before?
I’ve been to America, but more on the West Coast than the East Coast. So this is my first time on that side, which is really exciting.
What do you enjoy most about tennis?
For me, when I started, I just really loved being part of the community. The wheelchair tennis community, in particular, is very tight knit. Heath Davidson is one of my idols and one of the first experiences that I had with wheelchair tennis, he actually came up to Cairns to be part of a camp that they did. To really see him in person and meet him, that was really big for me. It let me see firsthand where I want to get and how I want to be. He has continued to help with my development along the way as well. Every time I’m in Melbourne, I try to see if he’s around and if we can hit. It’s really cool to see that he’s that open to hitting with juniors and trying to mentor them through their journey as well.
Are there many other wheelchair tennis players in the Cairns area?
I’m the only one. I…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Tennis.com.au – Tennis Australia…