In just a few days, the Wimbledon Tennis Championship begins. Arguably the biggest grass tennis championships in the world, it’s captivating viewing, even if you’re not a regular tennis fan. The wheelchair competition begins around the beginning of July and we can’t wait to watch!
If watching Wimbledon inspires you to get involved in tennis, or other racket sports, we’ve got just the right support for you. For those with reduced hand function, holding a racket can be a real challenge. That’s why, back in 2023, we set about designing the Angled Aid. This clever gripping aid will keep a firm hold on rackets and bats for playing all sorts of different sports.
Earlier this month, we caught up with James, who helped us test the prototypes of the Angled Aid as he began playing wheelchair tennis. Two years on, how is he getting on with the sport, and the Angled Aid?
Meet James
James is 37 years old and lives in Lincolnshire. He sustained a C6/C7 incomplete spinal cord injury back in 2016 when on holiday in spain. At the time he was a firefighter. Now, he is director of Ability Bathing Ltd, who install accessible bathrooms and he has a mobility shop based in Bourne. James explains, “My job allows me to still help people in need, which is what I like about the work I do.”
Playing Tennis
During the Covid pandemic, James’ life had become fairly sedentary. He describes, “like most people I had been sat at home for a long time, enjoying the hot weather we had, eating and drinking and not getting much exercise. I had gained weight and I was just a bit fed up of not having much to do other than work once we were allowed to reopen the shop.”
In 2021, he decided to get back into sport. Struggling to find any local teams for wheelchair rugby or basketball, he began to make enquiries to his local tennis club. “I thought back to how I used to enjoy tennis as a kid and had enjoyed watching the wheelchair tennis whilst I was in hospital after my injury. So I contacted my local club. Luckily, they had a qualified coach and a couple of tennis chairs. So I booked a lesson to see how I got on.”
James had retained knowledge of how to hit the ball with different strokes from playing as a child and so was quick to pick the game back up. He had to adapt his backhand stroke to suit the wheelchair game and his ability, but is now able to use two different techniques, depending on if he wants top spin or a slice.
Finding the Angled Aid
James found wheelchair tennis at just the point we were ready to test out our prototype designs of our Angled Aid. He explains, “I first discovered the Active Hands Angled Aid when I was looking for a solution for gripping the racket as my right hand is very weak. I went on one of the Facebook SCI pages and asked if anyone with a similar level of injury played tennis and what do they use to help attach the racket to their hand. That is when Rob from Active Hands messaged me and told me he was developing the Angled Aid for the use in such things as tennis. He sent me out a prototype which I was able to use in my first lesson.
“I gave Rob my feedback on the Angled Aid and together we were able to develop it further. I suggested having rubber on the main strap to aid pushing the wheelchair and the Active Hands team sent out a new improved strap with a nice thick rubber stitched to it. That made a massive difference to my game! I was able to move around the court a lot quicker. What I like about the Angled Aid is that not only does it help grip the racket but it also helps cushion your hands when pushing, anyone with my level of injury will know your hands are more ‘boney’ due to muscle wastage so quickly pushing across a court with the base of your palm if just using tape can be quite painful.”
Meet the Angled Aid
The Angled Aid enables users to hold a bat or racket at just the right angled for playing sport. It is perfect for tennis, table tennis, badminton, pickle ball, padel or baseball. It can also be great for holding a hammer, or other tool you need at an angle.
The soft, neoprene gripping aid ensures you are comfortable throughout play. The separate strap means you can place it at exactly the angle that suits you, and wrap it around your hand to create a firm grip.
There are two options for the strap. A regular, webbing strap that is light to wear. Or, a rubber-backed strap to support those who wish to push a wheelchair during play, like James.
Not only is it [Angled aid] more comfortable… it is at a 45º angle so sits at a more natural playing angle, which has helped my forehand and backhand no end. I’ve improved my game massively just by using this. It’s lightweight, and like with all of the Active Hands equipment, it’s durable and well made. I would definitely recommend using it for anyone who struggles with grip and plays racket sports.
Josh Payne, table tennis player
What’s the future?
James would like to find more time for his tennis, hoping to compete in more tournaments, but for now he is just playing for the pleasure of the sport. “I have also managed to get Centre Court Wimbledon tickets this year so I am really looking forward to that!”
He advises anyone wanting to try out wheelchair tennis to begin by contacting their local club. “Most clubs will have a tennis wheelchair laying about, even if it needs some attention to get it in working order.”
He also explains that there are charities that can help fund new chairs for clubs or individuals, so you can contact them if there are no tennis wheelchairs at your local club. “If you have weak hand function, definitely invest in the Angled Aid with a rubber strap. Then just give it a go!”
I would like to thank the Active Hands team for letting me help them develop the Angled Aid further and giving me a product that helps me feel independent on the court which gives me a sense of freedom.
James Thorpe, wheelchair tennis player
Jo Smith
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