Those still hanging around Lehigh University during the summer months may have stumbled upon something unexpected at the Lewis Tennis Center from July 13-15.The University's tennis courts were the scene of the 13th Annual Lehigh Valley Tennis Classic, hosted by the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) Freewheelers and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. This USTA sanctioned tournament brought out over a dozen tennis players from not only the Lehigh Valley, but from all over the east coast.

What set this tournament apart from other tournaments wasn't the location, or even how the game was played. What made this tournament so unique was the fact that all the players were in wheelchairs.

Wheelchair tennis began in the 1970s in California, when the Los Angeles City parks and Recreation Department held the first ever wheelchair tennis tournament.
The National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis (NFWT) has been around since 1980, and wheelchair tennis tournaments have been taking place both nationally and internationally.

Play in wheelchair tennis is nearly identical to standard tennis. There are generally divisions for singles, doubles and scoring remains the same.

"Wheelchair tennis is played on the same court with the same rules, but a wheelchair player can elect to take a second bounce," Amelio said, pointing out the only difference between the two tennis variations.

The Lehigh Valley Tennis Classic has been in action for 13 years, having been started by the LVCIL Freewheelers Wheelchair Sports Club.

"Good Shepherd had a tournament of their own, so we combined forces to make a bigger tournament in 2001" Bob Amelio, tournament director and president of the Freewheelers, said.

The tournament was open to all USTAmembers in the United States or internationally for a $75 entrance fee. Due to the location, the Classic mostly brought out players from the east coast, however, there was a player from Korea who is currently studying in New York. In past years, the tournament has attracted players from Canada, Mexico and Japan.

Those who came by to watch some of the action were presented with a variety of talent.

Rounds were broken into Men's A, B and C singles. The only woman in the tournament, Sheila Costanzi of Nazareth, Pa., played in the men's B division.
"Men are stronger, some, and some are quicker," Costanzi said. "It depends on your disability how good you can become."

Costanzi is the secretary of the Freewheelers and has been playing wheelchair tennis since 1999. She's played in many tournaments, including the U.S. Open in California. Apart from tennis, she also plays basketball and shoots pool.

"I love the game of tennis. You have to pick sports you can be competitive in,"  she said.

Participating in such a tournament can get pretty expensive, however, since players are not sponsored. The specially designed wheelchair for tennis, which is lighter than average wheelchairs and can move laterally more easily, costs $3500 alone. This does not include the expenses included with travel and accommodations.

The Lehigh Valley Tennis Classic opted to help the athletes in attendance with some costs by providing meals for the players during the tournament. In addition to meals, entertainment was provided