Anderson Parker

Reason: "I grew up in Forbes, a country town in the central west of New South Wales [in Australia]. I played every sport imaginable as a kid and loved all of them. I started tennis lessons with the local tennis coach John Christopher who gave me an excellent foundation and helped instil a love of the game. Our family moved to Sydney when I was still at school, and I played junior tournaments." (thefirstserve.com.au, 17 Nov 2023) Ambition: To compete at the Paralympic Games in 2024 and 2028. (thefirstserve.com.au, 17 Nov 2023) Awards: He was named Most Valuable Player [MVP] in the grand final of the 2022 New South Wales Waratah wheelchair basketball competition in Australia. (Basketball NSW Waratah League Facebook page, 27 Aug 2022) Additional Info: RETURN TO WHEELCHAIR TENNIS He returned to competitive wheelchair tennis in 2022 after seven years out of the sport. During that period he spent time playing wheelchair basketball and worked as a forklift driver and warehouse assistant. He has cited fellow Australian wheelchair tennis players Finn Broadbent and Heath Davidson as important support figures during his return to competitive action. "The first five months of my return was tough. I had no confidence in my game, and it was a real struggle. The training is the hardest part, but it makes it easier when you have a good bunch of people around you." (omny.fm, 10 Aug 2024; tennis.com.au, 22 Jan 2024; thefirstserve.com.au, 17 Nov 2023) OTHER ACTIVITIES In 2020 he joined the Sydney Local Health District in Australia as a workforce diversity and inclusion officer. (slhd.health.nsw.gov.au, 15 Nov 2021)