River City Slam: Local Players To Watch

Wheelchair tennis continues to grow in popularity since it became an event in the Paralympic Games in 1992, and has been a part of all four Grand Slams since 2007.

Sportable created the River City Slam Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in 2021 – with nearly 100 local and nationally ranked wheelchair tennis players competing in both junior and adult divisions over the last two years. River City Slam has consistently hosted one of the largest number of juniors of any tournament in the U.S., and will feature 13 players in the junior division when the event returns June 9-11, 2023.

For Sportable’s third annual River City Slam, the competition is coming from inside the house. Last year, a significant number of the tournament champions and finalists represented Sportable – so, these players returning to win in the 2023 River City Slam are worth noting.

 

#1 – Cynthia Pettus (Hampton, VA)

Cynthia Pettus started playing wheelchair tennis around 20 years ago, but stopped playing to pursue different sports and broaden her horizons. During COVID, she picked up her racket once again, remembering how much she enjoyed the feeling of being on the court. Last year, she participated in singles and doubles, partnering up with Mathew Barber from Virginia Beach.

“I am excited to get the opportunity to play different people,” Pettus said. “I enjoy meeting different people and everyone has some advice to give you to help you to improve.”

Pettus was one of the finalists in her division in the 2022 River City Slam, coming in at second place. She is also ranked No. 2 on the Coed D Singles National Standings list in the Virginia and Mid-Atlantic region.

#2 – Ryan Beale (Richmond, VA)

Ryan Beale has been playing tennis competitively for almost four years. He loves to be active, so when he was able to figure out how to play tennis in a wheelchair after his accident, he immediately started playing competitively. Soon after, he started traveling across the country to play in tournaments and won in multiple competitions. This resulted in his No. 1 ranking in Virginia for Coed Quad Open Singles Nation Standings list, and his title as the quad open singles champion of last year’s River City Slam.

“For me, tennis is a mental game,” Beale said. “It takes strategy and a game plan with certain opponents. But no matter who is on the other side of the net, you’re always competing within yourself.”

Beale doesn’t only excel on the court, though – he also assists in coaching Sportable’s junior tennis program.

This year, Beale stated that he’s worked extensively, individually and with a team, at improving his game, and that he’s excited about the “mental battles, the strategies, and overall toughness a tournament has to offer.”

#3 – Christopher Lamps (Richmond, VA)

Christopher Lamps first picked up wheelchair tennis almost 15 years ago, when he decided that he needed to transition from basketball for his physical health. His wife was a frequent tennis player, so this gave him an opportunity to spend time with his wife and kids by being active.

“Tennis has opened the door to maintaining my fitness in other ways,” Lamps said. “My accomplishment from tennis is that it has made me a better person with a more diverse group of friends and inspired me to maintain and take care of my health in other ways.”

Lamps last participated in River City Slam in 2021, where he came out of the tournament winning four of his doubles matches and two of his single matches. From there, he competed and practiced in other tournaments, earning him the title of No. 4 in Virginia for the Coed C Ind. Doubles and Singles on the National Standings list. However, the main reason that he plays isn’t for the wins.

He also stated that he’s excited to play doubles with Beale in this year’s tournament and taking on the challenge that competing has to offer.

#4 – Evan Wrinkle (Quinton, VA)

Evan Wrinkle has been playing tennis for almost 4 years. He started out playing wheelchair lacrosse for Sportable, but decided to hone his tennis skills and compete.

“One of the things I really like about tennis is that it’s a precision sport, “ Wrinkle said. “You can make minute progress on pretty much anything, you’re making progress somewhere.”

Wrinkle ranks No. 5 in coed C singles overall in Virginia. He was also his division’s doubles finalist in the previous River City Slam. Wrinkle has been participating in the River City Slam tournament since it was born, competing in it for the past three years.

Wrinkle said that he’s most excited about going into the tournament with another year of play under his belt, and to see the difference in his performance over the past year.

“It seems like every time I go out, there’s something else I can work on.”

The River City Slam Wheelchair Tennis presented by VAMAC will be held at the Collegiate School’s Robin Campus and host players from coast-to-coast in both junior and adult divisions. It will open on Thursday, June 8 with the River City Slam Run/Roll Tennis Tournament and a Player’s Welcome Reception, followed by three days of matches Friday through Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon, CarMax will hold a Juniors Wheelchair Tennis Camp. Those interested in participating can register here. Guests and spectators of the tournament are able to watch at no charge.