ITF

American Nick Taylor was announced as the winner of the 2018 UNIQLO Spirit Award during the UNIQLO Wheelchair Doubles Masters in Bemmel, Netherlands in November. Launched in 2017 by the ITF and UNIQLO, the annual award was created to honour an individual or organisation that embodies the principles and core values of UNIQLO, embraces challenge in pursuit of the promotion of wheelchair tennis and is admired for their integrity and character. Taylor is a role model for anyone of any age or ability, including aspiring quad division players. He has constantly given back to the sport of tennis, whether it be through inspiring and encouraging young players on wheelchair tennis camps, undertaking tournament director duties for a Pro Circuit event in his home town or passing on his knowledge, insight and passion for the sport as an assistant coach at his local university. He began playing wheelchair tennis aged 14, determined to make it on to his high school tennis team. Since then he has overcome numerous challenges to become one of the sport's most successful players. A former world No.1 in quad singles and doubles, he has won five Paralympic medals, including three doubles gold medals. He also has a unique place in the history of the UNIQLO Wheelchair Doubles Masters, alongside his countryman David Wagner. In 2017 they won an incredible 10th Doubles Masters quad title, while the pair made it 11 at this year's event in Bemmel, where Taylor was announced as the winner of the UNIQLO Spirit Award by Mr Kobayashi, COO of UNIQLO Spain, Belgium and Netherlands. Esteban Ortiz of Ecuador was named as the UNIQLO Spirit Award runner-up for 2018. Ortiz has competed with distinction for his country and as an individual over the last 11 years. He formed the first group of local tennis players in his country before developing the sport nationally and helping to establish his country on the international scene. W H E E L C H A I R As part of the celebrations to mark 25 years as the title sponsor of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters, NEC has donated 10 tennis wheelchairs to the ITF. These wheelchairs will be provided to athletes in developing markets, where access to such specialised equipment is limited, and will aid the ITF's development programme, which aims to help raise the level of tennis worldwide. A number of players who have benefitted from the ITF's development programme have gone on to compete in the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters. ITF President David Haggerty said: "I would like to thank NEC for their very generous donation of 10 tennis wheelchairs to assist the ITF's development of wheelchair tennis, which will continue to ensure the growth of the sport for years to come." NEC donates wheelchairs to aid development 26 ITFWorld // WINTER 2018 Taylor wins UNIQLO Spirit Award

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