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Parapympics - Beijing 2008 - Peter Norfolk - Double Paralympic Gold Medallist

Parapympics - Beijing 2008 - Norfolk Eases to his Second Gold



The quad events at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Tennis Event concluded on Sunday, with top seed Peter Norfolk (GBR) winning a second successive quad singles gold medal after a comprehensive 62 62 victory over surprise finalist and fourth seed Johan Andersson (SWE).

After winning the inaugural quad singles title in Athens, Norfolk sealed his Beijing title in just over an hour on Centre Court. The Briton eased to the first set 62 in 31 minutes. After taking a 4-0 lead in the second set Norfolk was briefly troubled as Andersson stepped up his game to break in the fifth game of the set and the Swede soon made it 5-2. However, Norfolk kept his composure and earned two match points, a backhand winner clinching the set and completing victory in one hour and one minute.

“The atmosphere out there was the best I’ve ever played in,” said Norfolk. “It was stirring. The enthusiasm of the crowd was fantastic and I loved it. I felt positive, upbeat and ready for the challenge today,” said Norfolk. “The Paralympics is always tough. Every match is pressure.

“Johan played well but I think nerves got the better of him which isn’t surprising with a crowd of almost 10,000 watching."

“Athens was hard emotionally, and the emotion hasn’t hit me yet but to defend my gold medal – I’m ecstatic.



Story from the ITF website - 14th August 2008

Parapympics - Beijing 2008 - Norfolk and Burdekin Win Doubles Bronze Medal



Boaz Kramer and Shraga Weinberg (ISR) will meet reigning champions Nick Taylor and David Wagner (USA) in the quad doubles final at the Olympic Green Tennis Centre on Saturday.

Kramer and Weinberg caused a huge upset in the second of Thursday's semifinals on Centre Court when they beat second seeds Jamie Burdekin and Peter Norfolk (GBR) in straight sets. Kramer and Weinberg set their stall out from the start as the British duo began nervously. The Israelis broke immediately, but Burdekin and Norfolk broke straight back to level at 2-2, but could never ger themselves in front and Kramer and Weinberg took the first set 64.

The Israeli pairing made another strong start to the second set, taking a 3-0 lead. Norfolk and Burdekin fought back from 4-1 down to level at 4-4, but with Norfolk serving a couple of double faults in the next game, the British pair were feeling the pressure and Burdekin subsequently knocked a forehand in to the net on match point to complete the surprise 64 64 victory for Kramer and Weinberg, who were meetig their British opponents in competition for the very first time.



Story from the ITF website - 11th August 2008

Parapympics - Beijing 2008 - Norfolk Into Semi-Finals


Peter Norfolk (GBR) v Sadahiro Kimura (JPN)

For the second Paralympics in succession, the four seeds have reached Friday's quad singles semifinals in Beijing. Nick Taylor will play defending champion and second seed Peter Norfolk (GBR) in Friday's semifinals after Norfolk dropped just the fourth game of the second set of his quarterfinal against Sadahiro Kimura (JPN) to win 60 61.

"I'm very pleased, my serve and return was good today and it was a solid performance. There is always pressure at a Paralympic Games, but this is a special event and I am looking forward to the semifinals," said Norfolk.



Story from the ITF website - 10th September 2008

Parapympics - Beijing 2008 - Norfolk Through Round 1

Peter Norfolk (GBR) v Monique de Beer (NED)
After winning the inaugural Paralympic quad singles title in Athens four years ago, Norfolk began the defence of his title with a comfortable win. An early break in the first set sent him on his way and while de Beer managed to take the sixth game of the second set, Norfolk converted his first match point for a 61 61 victory after just 54 minutes.

“After waking up to the torrential rain this morning I thought the matches would be delayed, but I was delighted that they started on time," said Norfolk. Court 1 was a lovely stadium to start my paralympic defence on. I am excited to have won my first match and am now on my way into the meat of the tournament. I am happy that I served very well and executed my returns effectively.”



Story from the ITF website - 9th September 2008

Norfolk Wins Swiss Open Title

The only one of Sunday's finals to go to three sets saw Norfolk make a stirring comeback to beat world No.1 ranked quad player and defending champion David Wagner (USA). Norfolk recovered from a slow start and some inconsistent early service games to beat Wagner 16 64 63 in his final tournament before the Beijing Paralympics. The Briton now has a 4-1 lead in head-heads against Wagner this season as their rivalry at the top of the world rankings intensifies once more.



Story from the ITF website - 10th August 2008

Norfolk Wins British Open Crown Again



There could not have been a more exciting start to Sunday’s three main draw finals as Norfolk clinched a final set tiebreak to win his fourth British Open title in six years. Norfolk eased through the first set of his Quad Singles final against world No 1 ranked Quad player David Wagner (USA) for the loss of just the fourth game, with Wagner hitting a backhand in to the net on the first of two set points on Norfolk’s serve.

However, the World No 2 ranked Briton lost his focus in the second set and had his service broken to love on two occasions as Wagner played some superb tennis to take the second set 6-2. Wagner broke Norfolk to love again in the second game of the final set, but Norfolk managed to regain his focus to level the contest after breaking Wagner to love in the sixth game of the set. However, once again the tide turned and when serving for the match in the ninth game of the set the American skimmed the net cord at 30-30. With the ball bouncing low, Norfolk was in danger of going a match point down, but scrambled the return back and went on to clinch the game before a forehand winner levelled the set again at 5-5.

Norfolk went on to force the tie-break before winning an exchange of volleys to go 4-2 ahead. Wagner then double faulted to give Norfolk four match points and the American put a back hand in the net on the next point, sealing a 61 26 76(2) victory for Norfolk that follows up his previous wins in Nottingham in 2003, 2005 and 2006. Sunday’s victory also brought Norfolk the 13th Super Series title of his career.

“I played really well in the first set and thought I was going to win it in straight sets,” said Norfolk. “That meant I completely lost my focus in the second set and David upped his game and showed what a great player he is. Thankfully, I got myself back together in the final set and I’m very pleased with how I played the pressure points. It’s an incredible feeling to win my fourth British Open.”

One of just three tournaments on the 2008 NEC Wheelchair Tennis to have Super Series status, this year’s British Open has featured 120 players from 25 countries, including all of the world top 10 Men’s and Quad players and nine of the world’s top 10 Women’s players, for whom the British Open was the last major event before the Paralympic Tennis Event in Beijing in September.



Story from the ITF website - 27th July 2008

Norfolk lifts French Open Quad title

Top seed Peter Norfolk (GBR) won his second Quad Singles title at the BNP Paribas French Open, part of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour, on Saturday after beating fourth seed Johan Andersson (SWE) in straight sets in Antony, France.

Meanwhile, fittingly for France's ITF 1 Series event, Sunday's Men's Main Draw Singles final will be an all-French affair between Stephane Houdet and Michael Jeremiasz, with Florence Gravellier also making it to the Women's Singles final after upsetting second seed Jiske Griffioen (NED).

In the Quad Singles, world No 2 Norfolk has made his first visit to the French Open this week since winning the title in 2003, and the Briton secured a comprehensive 64 61 win over world No 6 Andersson to regain the title.

Later in the day Norfolk secured his second title of the week as he paired up with fellow Briton Jamie Burdekin to beat Italian duo Giuseppe Polidori and Antonio Raffaele 63 61 in the Quad Doubles final.


Story from the ITF website - 28th June 2008

Norfolk and Wagner reach Japan Quad final

After winning the last four Japan Open Quad Main Draw Singles finals between them, Peter Norfolk (GBR) and David Wagner (USA) will contest this year's final at the second Super Series event of the 2008 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour in Fukuoka.

World No 2 ranked Quad Norfolk, who chalked up a hat-trick of titles in Fukuoka between 2004 and 2006 before missing last year's event through injury, will attempt to regain the title on Saturday after winning his semifinal on Friday against seventh seed Brent Poppen (USA) 63 61.


Story from the ITF website - 16th May 2008

Weinberg Beats Norfolk in Pensacola Opener

Shraga Weinberg (ISR) upset second seed Peter Norfolk (GBR) during Wednesday's opening day of play at the Pensacola Open, part of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour, in Florida.

Weinberg had shown he is in good form when taking world No 1 David Wagner (USA) to a final set tiebreak at last week's Florida Open before Norfolk beat Wagner in the final. However, the Briton was beaten by the better man on the day on Wednesday as Weinberg secured 64 62 victory for his first ever win over Norfolk in six career meetings between the two former world No 1 quad players.


Story from the ITF website - 17th April 2008

Norfolk Reclaims Florida Open Quad Title

Peter Nofolk (GBR) twice came from behind to beat defending champion David Wagner (USA) in Saturday's Quad Main Draw Singles final at the Florida Open, part of the NEC Wheeklchair Tennis Tour, while the top two seeds reached the finals in each of the Men's Main Draw Singles and Women's Main Draw Singles.

After wins in 2004, 2005 and 2006, Norfolk had to work hard to clinch his fourth Quad title at Boca Raton's prestigious ITF 1 Series event. Top seed Wagner won the last four games of the first set to seize the advantage before Norfolk built upon a 31 lead in the second set to level the match on his first set point.

With world No 2 ranked quad Norfolk struggling with his service game for much of the contest, Wagner took a 40 lead at the beginning of the deciding set. However, with the American world No 1 also starting to find the going tough in the heat, Norfolk found some form and some superb returns of serve to come back to 34 before Wagner earned another beak to move within one game of victory. However, he was unable to serve out the match and Norfolk launched another comeback, eventually converting his first match point to seal a 26 63 75 triumph.


Story from the ITF website - 12th April 2008

Norfolk lift's Australian Open title Again

The Quad Singles final was a rematch of the 2004 final in Melbourne and ended in the same result as world No 2 Norfolk colleced his second Australian Open crown.

After a rain storm desended on Melbourne shortly after the Men's final, the Quad final was delayed for half an hour. When the action did get underway a tense first set saw the opening game go to five deuces, with world No 2 Wagner taking the early advantage before Norfolk broke straight back. Norfolk's next two service games also went to deuce, but he won the vital points to clinch them, also breaking Wagner in the fourth game to take a 41 lead. Norfolk maintained his advantage and went on to convert the first of two set points in the eighth game.

Norfolk broke Wagner again in the fourth game of the second set, but the American broke back once more and with Norfolk hindered by several double faults Wagner survived eight deuces on his next service game to level the set at 33. However, Norfolk composed himself and two games later he converted the first of two break points to give himself the opportunity of serving for the match. Seconds later Norfolk had two match points, only needing the first of them to seal victory.


Story from the ITF website - 25th January 2008

Norfolk and Wagner reach Australian Open Quad Final

The world's top two ranked players, David Wagner (USA) and Peter Norfolk (GBR), have reached Saturday's Quad Singles final at the Australian Wheelchair Tennis Open, the first Super Series event of the 2008 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour.

Top seed Wagner saw off his compatriot Brent Poppen (USA) 62 63 in his semifinal on Thursday, while 2004 Australian Open champion Norfolk won the points that counted to defeat world No 3 Nck Taylor (USA) and set up rematch of the 2004 final.



Story from the ITF website - 23rd January 2008

MBE Honour for Paralympic Tennis Champion Norfolk

Peter Norfolk, Great Britain's first ever Paralympic Tennis Champion, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List announced earlier today (Saturday, 11th June).

Norfolk won Gold in the Quad Singles, for players affected in three or more limbs, in Athens last September before pairing up with fellow Briton Mark Eccleston to win Silver in the Quad Doubles.

The MBE is the latest accolade in a long list of honours, both on and off the court, for the 44-year-old player from Fleet, Hampshire

In September 2003 Norfolk became the World No 1 Quad Singles player and remained at the top of the world rankings until early February this year. Since February he has made two brief returns to the top of the rankings and is currently the World No 2 ranked Quad. From the end of July 2003, Norfolk's 14-month unbeaten run included all four events on the global NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour to have Super Series status, the equivalent of a Grand Slam - the British Open, the US Open, the Australian Open and the Japan Open. He has only been beaten once since the end of July 2003 and his second Japan Open success, in May this year, was his seventh Super Series title in total. In 2001 and 2002 Norfolk also helped Team GB lift successive Quad titles in the Invacare World Team Cup, the Davis and Fed Cups of wheelchair tennis.

His on court successes have also resulted in Norfolk picking up a string of prestigious awards off the court, including winning the LTA Disabled Player of the the Year Award both as a team member and, for the last two years, as an individual, twice being named BBC South Disabled Sportsman of the Year, and last year winning the BBC South Sportsman of the Year award following a monumental year that culminated in his Gold medal in Athens.

The Briton was among a host of Olympic and Paralympic Tennis medallists honoured at the recent ITF World Champions Dinner at Roland Garros during the French Open and on Sunday, 3rd July, Norfolk will conduct the coin toss before the Men's Singles final at The Championships, Wimbledon.


Story from the BTF website - 13th June 2005

Super Norfolk in Seventh Heaven in Japan

Athens Paralympic Gold medallist Peter Norfolk completed a successful defence of his Quad Singles title at the Japan Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships in Iizuka on Saturday, defeating second seed Sarah Hunter of Canada 6-2, 6-2 in the final.

Victory for top seed Norfolk, 44, from Fleet, Hampshire, brought his seventh Super Series win, the equivalent of a Grand Slam title, on the global NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour. The Brition is now likely to jump one place, back to World No 1 in the weekly Quad Singles rankings, for players affected in three or more limbs, published by the International Tennis Federation.

"I've really enjoyed the tournament, played well through out the week to win and am very pleased that I have been able to defend my title convincingly," said a delighted Norfolk afterwards. "My Serve was accurate and consistent, and my strategies paid off."

In winning the Quad Singles at the Japan Open 12 months ago, Norfolk completed a clean sweep of all four wheelchair tennis Super Series crowns, having won the British and US Open titles in 2003 and starting 2004 by winning the Australian Open.

After becoming Great Britain's first ever Paralympic Tennis medallist in Athens last September, Norfolk went on to win Silver in the Quad Doubles with fellow Briton Mark Eccleston, who has since his retired from the sport after another hugely successful career during which he also attained the World No 1 Quad Singles ranking . Meanwhile, Norfolk completed 2004 by claiming his third US Open crown in four years and the sixth Super Series title of his career.

Saturday's victory in Japan brings Norfolk his second successive title of 2005 after winning on his seasonal debut at the Florida Open in April, and marks the beginning of what promises to be an exciting summer. Norfolk's next 'Grand Slam' engagement after Japan will be on Sunday, 3rd July when he performs the coin toss before the Men's Singles final at Wimbledon. Three weeks later he will bid for more Super Series success of his own when he takes part in the British Open in Nottingham, from 26th - 31st July


Story from the BTF website - 13th June 2005

Norfolk, Mistry and McMorran Triumph at 2005 National Wheelchair Tennis Championships

Peter Norfolk (Fleet, Hampshire), Jayant Mistry (Loughborough, Leicestershire) and Janet McMorran (Bromyard, Herefordshire & Worcestershire) secured the Quad, Men’s and Women’s Main Draw Singles titles respectively at the 2005 National Wheelchair Tennis Championships at the Oxstalls Indoor Tennis Centre, Gloucester, on Bank Holiday Monday.

Athens Paralympic Quad Singles Gold medallist and top seed Norfolk overcame second seed and seven-time National Champion Mark Eccleston (Southport, Merseyside) to win his second National Quad Singles title. Norfolk, who followed his Gold medal winning performance in Athens by pairing up with Eccleston to win Silver in the Quad Doubles, added to his 2002 Quad Singles National title with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 win in Monday’s final in Gloucester.

Meanwhile, in a repeat of the 2003 Men’s Main Draw Singles final, British Men’s No 1 Mistry defeated fourth seed Kevin Plowman (Norwood Green, Halifax, Yorkshire) to lift an unprecedented 12th National singles title. Plowman, who was a member of the Great Britain Paralympic Team in Athens last year alongside Mistry, was unable to win a game in the first set, and had moderately more success in the second as Mistry comfortably retained his title with a 6-0, 6-2 victory.

Monday’s Women’s Singles final saw six-time former champion McMorran regain the National Women’s title for the first time since 2000 as she held off three-time former champion Kimberly Blake (Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire). Despite having lost to Blake in the final of the North East Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Sunderland, Britain’s first world ranking event of the year, in March, McMorran (Bromyard, Herefordshire & Worcestershire) quickly asserted herself as she won four games in a row take the first set of Monday’s National Championships final 6-2. The second set followed a similar trend as McMorran took the last five games to wrap up a 6-2, 6-1 victory and collect her seventh National title.

Plowman and Paul Simmons (Guisborough, Cleveland) justified their top seeding to take the Men’s Main Draw Doubles title, defeating Andy McErlean (Waterlooville, Hampshire) and Richard Latkowski (Witney, Oxfordshire) 6-3, 6-1 in the final.

Meanwhile, McMorran collected her second title of the day in the Women’s Draw Doubles final, partnering Lucy Shuker (Taunton, Somerset) to a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Debbie Brazier (Prenton, Wirral) and Debbie Brazier (Newport, South Wales.
The Quad Main Draw Doubles title was taken by Chris Johnson (Waterlooville, Hampshire) and Nick Webborn (Eastbourne, Sussex), who won their final against Mark Eccleston (Southport, Merseyside) and Sean McCallion (Northolt, Middlesex) 6-4, 6-2.

Local Gloucestershire interest on finals day on Bank Holiday Monday centred around Graham Abbott (Churchdown), who ended up as the runner-up in the Men’s C Division Consolation Singles after losing Monday’s final against Keith Vibert (Jersey) 6-3, 7-5.

The National Wheelchair Tennis Championships is supported by Gloucester City Council, Slazenger and Pennine Spring Water.


Story from the BTF website - 2nd May 2005

Peter Norfolk is the number one quad tennis player in the world.

He has won the five out of the last six Super Series events which are the wheelchair equivalent of Grand Slams. And he picked up the first ever gold in quad tennis at the Paralympics in Athens in 2004.

His success means he is now a target for others but he wants to achieve more in a sport that he, "absolutely loves playing".

Peter has used a wheelchair since he was 19 years old when a motorcycle accident broke his back and left him with a spinal cord injury. He says: "I used to play tennis before my accident and when I first saw an exhibition match I thought, 'that's the sport for me'." But it wasn't until there were further complications to his injury that things began to change. He says: "When I had my second injury which principally made me a quad, where I lost the use of my arm, shoulder and my hand, I decided to take it a bit more seriously. "Then I got lottery funding which allowed me to take it more seriously because it allowed me to get the facilities and the technical assistance. "That was the start really. I thought, 'I can get better, I can improve,' and the funding allowed me to take time out of work and get the best out of myself."

Hours of practice
Quad tennis differs from wheelchair tennis in that players have at least three limbs affected rather than two. Peter has limited use of his right arm so although he can push his chair, his racquet is strapped to his hand and he can't change grip. He adds: "You can't be competitive with a fixed grip against someone who can change grip and move the chair more powerfully. "But the quad division is extremely competitive and is fantastic for tennis. It's allowed me to continue playing. "The world number four, Nick Taylor, uses a power chair and he tosses the ball up to serve with his foot. "He's put in hours and hours of practice to be able to do that and he hits with amazing top spin."

Team Norfolk
Peter puts his success in 2004 down to what he calls 'Team Norfolk'. He says: "I've got a great coach, assistant coach and a team manager. I've been more professional, more focussed and I've dedicated myself to particular goals. "I'm specific about my training and you have to be open to criticism, unfortunately.

"My team question what I do and 2005 is going to be even harder because everyone wants to beat me."


Story from BBC Sport Website - 1st May 2005

Paralympic Champion Norfolk and his coach net National Tennis Awards

Athens Paralympic Gold Medallist Peter Norfolk, from Fleet in Hampshire, has netted the title of "Disabled Player of the Year 2004" along with his coach John Bozas who has won "Coach of the Year" in the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Awards.

The Awards will be presented to the World No 1 Quad Wheelchair Tennis player and his coach John Bozas by LTA President Charles Trippe and the Chief Executive John Crowther at the LTA Awards, which will be held at the All England Club in Wimbledon on Monday 6th December.

Norfolk won Great Britain's first ever Paralympic Tennis Gold Medal in Athens in the Quad Singles, for players affected in three or more limbs, before going on to win Silver with fellow Briton Mark Eccleston in the Quad Doubles two days later. The 43-year-old Briton's success in Athens came 12 months after he reached World No 1 in the Quad Singles rankings and he has maintained that ranking ever since.

En route to Athens, Norfolk scooped this year's Australian and Japan Opens, completing a haul of all four successive tournaments on the NEC Tour to have Super Series status, the equivalent of Grand Slam: the British, US, Australian and Japan Opens. Despite a narrow defeat in his first tournament since Athens, Norfolk bounced back to win the Quad Singles title for the third time in four years at October's US Open, the final Super Series of the year.

"I am delighted to have won the LTA Disabled Player of the Year award again," said Norfolk. "To have finally won Britain's first Paralympic Tennis medal was a very proud moment, especially as it was Gold. I have always had great support behind me and to have not just myself, but also my coach John Bozas recognised in this year's LTA Awards makes this award even more special."

"I am so proud to receive the LTA Coach of the Year Award having moved from South Africa only four years ago," said Bozas. "I have really enjoyed working with Peter and being part of "Team Norfolk" with his wife Linda as well as Sue Wolstenholme, Director of the British Tennis Foundation (BFT), Dawn Newbery, Paralympic Team Manager and James Pankhurst, Paralympic Coach and the whole of the LTA and BTF team. I have also had great support from the Civilian and Army Management team at the Aldershot Tennis Centre and I am really looking forward to resuming training with Peter in the new year and together setting our sights towards Beijing in 2008."

Tim Henman won the top award for his outstanding form throughout the season, reaching both the French Open and US Open semi-finals as well as the quarter final at Wimbledon and for his continuing support at the grass roots of British Tennis.


7th January 2005

Melbourne Joy for Norfolk

Britain's Peter Norfolk completed his own set of 'grand slam' titles with victory over David Wagner in the Quad Singles final at the Australian Open.
Norfolk's 6-2 6-2 win means he adds the Australian title to his British and US Open triumphs in 2003.

The world number one, from Fleet in Hampshire, did not compete in the Australian Open last year.
His victory over the American world number two also gives him his six consecutive NEC Tour title.

Story from BBC SPORT:

Victory for Norfolk

Britain's Peter Norfolk made a superb start to his year by winning the quad main draw singles title at the Sydney International Wheelchair Open.
The world number one and top seed beat Dutch fourth seed Bas Van Erp 7-6 6-4 to clinch his fifth consecutive Tour title after ending 2003 with four wins.
Victory for Norfolk at Melbourne Park would give him his own Grand Slam after victory in last year's British and US Opens - the other two Super Series events.

Story from BBC SPORT:

US Open 'Grand Slam' Glory For Super Brit Norfolk

Britain's World No 1 Quad player Peter Norfolk (Fleet, Hampshire) pulled off a spectacular victory on Sunday to regain the Quad Main Draw Singles title at the US Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships, a part of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour, in San Diego, California.

Top seed Norfolk was in devastating form as he swept aside the challenge of Israel's Haim Lev 6-1, 6-0 in the final, retrieving a title he won for the first time in 2001.

The US Open is the third and final NEC Tour event of 2003 to have Super Series status, the equivalent of Grand Slam, and Sunday's triumph is Norfolk's third Super Series title of his career following his win in San Diego in 2001 and his British Open victory in July this year.

The victory was also his fifth NEC Tour title this year from his last six tournaments and stretches his advantage at the top of the world Quad rankings published by the International Tennis Federation.

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