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. In short, he wanted to ensure the best possible version of himself showed up in the summer. London was always my example, but now it is Paris People started going to the Olympic Stadium as it was the track and field with Oscar Pistorius competing.
When I went to a press conference, for the first time at Roland Garros I had to use the path under the courts as it was so busy. Paris also offered Houdet, who lost his left leg after being struck by a car in while touring the capital cities of Europe on a motorbike, the chance to work with Yannick Noah. Former Roland Garros champion Noah, who reached a career-high ranking of No. Even he was astounded by the atmosphere. He said the difference was that when you play at Roland Garros the people are really concerned with the score and when there is a mistake you can feel their disappointment.
