"I think as a wheelchair coach you have to have some comfort of being in the chair and understanding mobility patterns, understanding chair set up. That takes time."

USTA Wheelchair National Manager and Head Coach Jason Harnett is on the show this week to talk wheelchair tennis. Harnett has coached wheelchair athletes for over 20 years, and guides the World Team Cup and Paralympic squads.

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Recorded before the COVID-19 outbreak, this episode is available to watch on YouTube and Facebook.

Wheelchair tennis has been in the news recently after the US Open cancelled the 2020 event without consulting the players. Amidst backlash, options were being discussed and the USTA announced on Wednesday that the wheelchair tournament will be held after all.

While the USTA just made significant changes to the Player Development department, Harnett and wheelchair tennis remain a huge part of the organization's efforts to grow tennis.

Harnett shares how he got into coaching wheelchair tennis and what it's like to be an able-bodied coach and player in his field. He dives into some of the issues facing wheelchair players while recognizing how far the sport and its star athletes (like David Wagner, Dylan Alcott, Mackenzie Soldan and Shingo Kunieda) have come.

The views, information, and/or opinions expressed are solely those of the podcast creators and do not necessarily represent those of The Tennis Channel, Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries.