Introduction by Pete Norfolk

In 1979, I had a motorcycle accident which broke my back and left me with a spinal cord injury at T4/5 level. After 10 long months of rehabilitation in Stoke Mandeville Hospital I was eventually discharged and set about rebuilding my life. While I was wondering where to start I discovered wheelchair tennis and it was like a breath of fresh air. I had found a sport that I could manage and one that enabled me to play with able-bodied or disabled opposition. Inspired by the sport and realising the benefits (physical and mental) recreational tennis was soon to give way to the competitive game.

After playing international competitive tennis in the Men's Open Division for a few years, and gaining moderate success, I had a fairly serious set back which increased my disability level. I ended up having major spinal surgery a year ago and consequently have had to restart my tennis career as a quad player.

As a result of the surgery I've now lost some of the function in my right hand which means that I have to tape my racquet into my hand in order to play. I’ve had to completely change the way I play (no grip changes)and rethink my game in order to compete in the Quad Open Division.

Last year was my first season as a quad and it was a steep learning curve, especially when it came to adapting my game to the ability I now have. I had a great season, and am delighted to have played so well. Not only did I make it to compete with the Great Britain team at the World Team Cup in Switzerland in August 20001,we also won the competition (equivalent to the Davis Cup). A fantastic achievement for British wheelchair tennis. In addition to this success I also competed in the US Open in October and achieved a long held ambition by winning the Quad Open.

The accolades have flowed thick and fast since then as the GB Quad team ( with Mark Eccleston, and Chris Johnson) were nominated for several prestigious awards and together we picked up the LTA Disabled Player of the Year. In addition, I was personally nominated for the BBC South Sportsman of the Year, and was awarded the BBC South Disabled Sportsman of the Year.

So it is possible to have an international sports career even when the odds seem to say that you can't.

If you’d like any advice on tennis or just getting on with life in a wheelchair, why not e-mail me.

Regards Pete