The next is one among a number of spotlights being printed by Tennis Canada this month as a part of its Victory shall be HERS fundraising marketing campaign. They inform the tales of 5 inspirational ladies for whom tennis has performed a serious position and contributed in the direction of victories of their private {and professional} lives.
In the present day, we give attention to Frederique’s story. By supporting Tennis Canada’s Sport. Set. Fairness. initiative, you can also make an actual distinction within the lives of girls and ladies, each on and off the court docket. Donate right this moment.
Frédérique Bérubé Perron’s outstanding rise on the Canadian wheelchair tennis scene started simply a few years in the past. That’s laborious to think about, given she’s now one of many foremost up-and-coming participant within the nation and the world.
READ: “Tennis modified the course of my life” – Vyshnave Sivasankar
Her story is one among success by way of perseverance, towards the chances. Born with a congenital malformation that led to the amputation of her leg as an toddler, Frédérique has by no means let challenges outline her. As an alternative, she has used tennis as a device to rewrite her story and encourage others.
Like many others, the game has deeply impacted her life. On the court docket, she’s a nationwide champion and aspiring Paralympian. Off it, she’s gained resilience and confidence, although stays supremely humble.
“My amputation by no means restrained me from doing something. And, in actual fact, wheelchair tennis actually helped me settle for my amputation and never concern exhibiting it.”
– Frédérique Bérubé Perron
Frédérique grew up collaborating in a number of sports activities, together with basketball, hockey and karate. Her favorite was soccer, which she performed competitively in addition to with buddies. Nonetheless, when she was 12, her congenital challenges introduced one other powerful choice; reconstructive surgical procedure on her ear would deliver an finish to her participation in any contact sports activities.
It was a alternative she made with a heavy coronary heart however one she appears again on as a turning level in her life for the correct causes. “If I had chosen to not do the surgical procedure, I’d have possibly by no means discovered tennis,” she mentioned. “I’m actually joyful that it occurred.”
After the process, Frédérique started the seek for her new sporting ardour. Her mother recommended she strive tennis at their native membership. On the time, Frédérique – who wears a prosthetic – was unaware that wheelchair tennis was an choice however nonetheless totally loved and excelled on the able-bodied model of the game.
“I had my first apply, and I used to be like ‘oh, that’s my sport’. I beloved it a lot and needed to proceed. I began by taking part in standup tennis as a result of I didn’t know I might play wheelchair tennis. I knew it existed, however didn’t know prefer it was accessible for me.”
That modified in the summertime of 2022. Sooner or later at apply, Frédérique’s coach requested for volunteers for ball children at a match happening the following day at their membership. She raised her hand and turned as much as discover it was a wheelchair tennis occasion, which had moved from its supposed outside venue on account of forecasted rain.
“After I went on-court to have the coaching session for the ball children, I used to be sporting shorts and so you could possibly see my prosthetic,” she mentioned. Additionally on the occasion was Canadian wheelchair tennis participant, Barry Henderson. When he seen Frédérique, the 2 acquired speaking about their frequent experiences as amputees and Barry satisfied her to strive her hand on the sport.
READ: Tennis evokes victories in Natasha Irani’s private life and company profession
Shortly after that dialog, Barry launched Frédérique to Kai Schrameyer, Tennis Canada’s Nationwide Coach of Wheelchair Tennis. The remaining is historical past… “I spoke with Kai and had a bit coaching session. I attempted wheelchair tennis for the primary time in June 2022, and I utterly fell in love with the game.”
Inside weeks, she was taking part in ITF tournaments and, earlier than lengthy, gained a popularity as a promising participant on the tour. Quick ahead a few brief years and Frédérique is already residing as much as the hype. In 2024 alone, she gained the Birmingham Nationals, Canada’s wheelchair tennis nationwide championships, and her first ITF Futures match in Vancouver.
Her greatest victory, although, was turning into the primary Canadian in historical past to qualify for a junior Grand Slam in wheelchair tennis on the US Open. It was a aim that took dedication, focus and persistence, making it all-the-more satisfying as soon as it was achieved.
“It was an unbelievable expertise,” she mentioned. “I labored actually laborious, performed a variety of tournaments. And once I obtained the acceptance listing and I lastly knew that I acquired in, I used to be so, so joyful. This stress that was there all 12 months, simply disappeared. Going there was like a dream coming true.” In New York, she reached the semi-finals, shedding solely to the eventual champion, Japan’s Yuma Takamuro.
Trying forward, Frédérique has lofty ambitions which embrace qualifying for Los Angeles 2028 and to in the future win a Paralympic medal. However, she’s additionally aware of the position she has to play off the court docket, as a girl in wheelchair tennis who has the power to encourage others to strive the game or change into a fan.
“It’s type of unreal considering that I could be a position mannequin to some ladies and ladies. I hope if folks see my story, they’re going to start out desirous about wheelchair tennis and play and even simply watch it.”
READ: Carson Branstine’s Tennis Quest has been a Journey of Self-Discovery
As a part of its wheelchair tennis program, Tennis Canada not too long ago unveiled the Wheelchair Tennis Complete Participant Growth Pathway (WTWPDP), which supplies suggestions to information participant improvement at every stage and foster a lifelong ardour for wheelchair tennis. It’s an initiative Frédérique shall be essential within the sport’s improvement.
“Due to Tennis Canada as a result of they’re actually useful for growing wheelchair tennis, together with the brand new program [the WTWPDP] that went out not too long ago. I hope that’s going to assist attain plenty of gamers as a result of we don’t have sufficient proper now.”
Your help helps ladies overcome limitations and obtain victories on and off the court docket. Be part of us right this moment in making a extra equitable future in tennis. Frédérique is proof of what’s doable after we spend money on packages that empower ladies and ladies in tennis. Her journey evokes us to dream greater and work more durable towards an equitable future within the sport. Donate right this moment.
TAKE ACTION FOR CHANGE
Donate right this moment and be a part of this transformative motion.