South African world number-four wheelchair tennis player Lucas Sithole is hard at work hitting the practice courts as he prepares for a good run at the upcoming French Open Super Series, which takes place in Paris from June 20 to 25.
The BNP Paribas Open de France Super Series is one of six top wheelchair tennis events on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis tour, and has attracted eight of the world’s top 10 quad players in the draw of 24.
Sithole is in good form ahead of the French challenge following a sterling performance earlier this year, when he won his second SA Open quads singles title at Ellis Park Tennis Stadium in Johannesburg.
After missing the French Open last year due to fever and flu, the 30-year-old will be on a hunt for another victory in Paris after he captured his first French Open title with Australian Dylan Alcott in the doubles competition in 2015.
In the singles event, Sithole, a triple amputee from Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal was denied his first singles title by American David Wagner in their semi-final round clash and hopes for a better finish this season.
“I am working very hard with a hope to win my first French Open singles title and to up my ranking. I am going to give it my all and look forward to the tournament,” said Sithole.
Prior to the fourth super series of the year, Sithole will participate in the Toyota Open International de L’ile de Re, an International Tennis Federation (ITF) level 1 tournament in Ile de Re, France from June 13 to 18.