12-year-old wheelchair tennis star who overcame life-threatening infection is selected for GB team
Esperanza Merry is an amazing 12-year-old from Plymouth who overcame a life-threatening disease just five months ago which left her confined to a wheelchair and crutches for life.
Determined not to give up on her love for tennis, Esperanza has now taken up wheelchair tennis and in just this short space of time she has gone from strength to strength. Her amazing talent has been recognised by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) who announced in April that she will be part of the GB Junior Team for the 2013 BNP Paribas World Team Cup in Turkey later this month. Esperanza has also been invited by Aad Zwaan, one of the world’s best wheelchair tennis coaches, to train in the Netherlands with the road to Rio 2016 in her sights.
At the age 11 Luz Esperanza Merry had won 42 tennis tournaments in the UK, France and the USA. Having trained with the coaches at Dukes Meadow - the home of the UK's most experienced tennis academy, FC** Tennis - and other top European Academies, Esperanza was set to be a star in the WTA’s top 5 players.
After winning her last tournament on her 11th Birthday in Arizona, it came to light that Esperanza had contracted a rare staphylococcal aureus infection in her right hip complicated by septicemia.
It wasn’t until November 2012 that Esperanza underwent three operations in the USA to wash out the infections, and thankfully she was given the chance of a future by the work of the US surgeons.
The brave young 12-year-old, who is thankful to be alive but confined for life to a wheelchair and crutches due to the damage to her right hip from chondrolysis, was determined not to let her tennis dreams slip away. Her determination led her to wheelchair tennis and after one to one coaching with Lucy Shuker, the British No.1 wheelchair tennis player & bronze medalist at the 2012 Paralympics, Esperanza welcomed a new path to tennis stardom.
Since overcoming her operation she has now joined the National Wheelchair Performance Programme with the aim of competing in the 2016 and 2020 Paralympics. In the meantime her family is dedicated to helping her compete in the 170 global wheelchair tennis tournaments, including 4 tennis grand slam events as part of the programme.
In just five months of playing, Esperanza has progressed so rapidly she will be selected for the GB Junior Team for the 2013 Wheelchair Tennis BNP Paribas World Team Cup in Turkey in May.
Having had a long affiliation with Dukes Meadows and its coaches, the Chiswick based tennis, golf and ski facility has donated a top of the range bespoke wheelchair to help support her Paralympic dreams for Rio 2016. Esperanza will be presented with the chair at Dukes Meadows on Friday, May 17.
Former British number 1 tennis star Tim Henman will be there to hit a few balls and support the event.
Mobility is the most important aspect for a wheelchair tennis player and a customised sports chair is very expensive yet crucial for Esperanza to develop to her full potential. The contribution of a new bespoke tennis wheelchair from Dukes Meadow, the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust and the Lord’s Taverners will be invaluable to her future in her beloved sport.
Britain’s highest ranking wheelchair tennis player, Lucy Shuker commented: “For someone so young, Esperanza is an inspiration.
"Having had a promising able bodied career ahead of her, she has embraced her life changing condition and has become one of wheelchair tennis’ brightest prospects. Her attitude towards the game is remarkable and she brings something so special to the world of wheelchair tennis.
"As a true Paralympic medal prospect, I think her story will serve to inspire more people to take part in disability sport.”
Dukes Meadows’ FC** Tennis Academy director is James Lenton who was a top ten British senior before his retirement aged 21 and has 20 years experience of which 10 years was as an LTA National coach, helping some of the best names in British Tennis win national and international titles. He said:
“After presenting Esperanza with the London Under 10 Championship trophy in her earlier years we knew she was very talented. Her skill and determination are inspiring to everyone and we at Dukes Meadows are thrilled to be involved in her journey at such a young age.
"With the help of Lucy Shuker’s coaching and encouragement, GB’s successful Paralympic legacy will live on through Esperanza and Dukes Meadow can support this with the vital bespoke wheelchair donation”.
