BySophie BrownBBC Sport journalist and Sonia OxleyBBC Sport senior journalist

The notice on the tennis courts stated 'no bikes and no skateboards'.

Young American Brad Parks wondered how that applied when his front wheels resembled those of a skateboard and the rear ones those of a bike, yet he wished to play tennis.

Could he even access the court initially, since he would have to take apart his wheelchair to pass through the entrance?

Nevertheless, he had created a sport and would do all that was necessary to participate.

Parks experienced his moment of inspiration 50 years ago while attending a family picnic.

His relatives were engaged in tennis in an Indiana park, and 18-year-old Parks observed from his wheelchair after becoming paralysed in a freestyle skiing mishap in Utah several months before.

His father invited him to take part.

"So I began striking tennis balls," Parks explains to BBC Sport. "I was using a standard hospital wheelchair, the type provided back in 1976, making movement difficult, yet I managed to hit balls. At that instant I resolved 'I'm going to attempt it.'"

He intended more than a single session. In time he would establish an entire discipline of wheelchair tennis, promote it globally and witness its appearance at major tournaments and the Paralympics.

Initially, however, he required companions for matches, perhaps even a film star (more later).

Wheelchair basketball was then the standard activity suggested to Parks during hospital recovery, but he pursued different plans.

Prior to his spinal injury, caused by an over-rotation on a backflip landing hard on compacted snow at a freestyle skiing event, the Californian had aimed to enhance his tennis skills and now possessed greater motivation.

"If I am to remain in a wheelchair for life I must excel as much as possible and continue living fully, without inviting pity, so I wished to compete," he states. "Thus I considered perhaps playing tennis, allowing matches with my non-disabled friends, which was my initial idea."

Following the picnic, Parks practised tennis daily alongside friends, relatives and rivals located by his parents. None used wheelchairs.

Matters shifted upon his return for a follow-up hospital visit when he encountered physiotherapist Jeff Minnebraker, who had likewise investigated tennis possibilities from a wheelchair.

"We connected immediately upon realising we were likely the sole pair playing wheelchair tennis worldwide," Parks notes.

They tested various regulations. Should the court shrink, balls alter or net height adjust? Since they initially faced non-disabled opponents, early formats granted the standing player one serve, required underarm delivery or extra court space.

Yet when organising their debut wheelchair tennis competition in 1977 in Irvine, California, they opted for simplicity. The sole distinction from standard tennis would permit the ball to bounce twice, a rule that persists.

Parks claimed victory in that first event and led the sport's early phase, often contested on inferior public courts where dust hindered wheel traction.

Umpires were absent and events were managed by rehabilitation staff: "They lacked tennis expertise so few understood the regulations."

Prevailing views also required change.

Although advances had occurred since the Wimbledon Museum image of disabled individual George Cayley suspended in a harness to play tennis a century earlier, wheelchair competitors remained uncommon.

"No one ever ejected me, yet frequent questions arose," Parks recalls.

"I recall arriving at courts where the supervisor would inquire, 'What is happening here? Do the wheels harm the surface?'"

Authorities could prove dismissive too. Parks felt disheartened after a National Wheelchair Basketball Association official dismissed his efforts, claiming tennis unsuitable for wheelchairs and citing a thesis on the topic.

Parks persisted, promoting the activity through demonstrations at hospitals, clubs and even parking areas.

Years later the same official sought to apologise beside him at a meal, admitting error and seeking guidance on integrating his sport with mainstream bodies as wheelchair tennis had achieved.

While rules stayed straightforward, equipment posed challenges.

Minnebraker, a skilled engineer, constructed a lightweight aluminium wheelchair far more agile than the 60lb hospital models fitted with side-guards and handles that restricted swings.

Parks requested a trial.

He sensed a floating sensation in the borrowed chair. More striking was seeing Minnebraker in the hospital model appear as a disabled person.

"I had never perceived that before because he occupied my chair, not this improved version," he explains.

"That chair proved remarkable by comparison. I asked if he would build one for me and he replied 'no, but I will instruct you how to construct one'."

He did so, and the pair later founded a manufacturing firm, though persuading others to abandon familiar older chairs took effort.

Development advanced steadily. In 1980 Parks aided formation of the National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis and established a 10-event circuit. He also authored the guide Tennis In A Wheelchair for participants and instructors. Two years afterward the first overseas tournament occurred in France.

Parks recalls the precise instant he recognised their achievement, experiencing chills and tears upon viewing 12 courts occupied by athletes in sports wheelchairs at a 1985 Michigan event.

"All appeared as proper tennis players," he says. "Each carried two racquets. Some had coaches.

"I told myself, 'This is wheelchair tennis. It is genuine, enduring and destined for significance.' The realisation struck while observing from my seat. It marked the sport's true start."

Support from prominent figures aided promotion.

Once playing at a private New York club, Parks encountered Hollywood actors Gene Wilder and Sidney Poitier filming nearby.

They conversed and arranged doubles, though Wilder later confessed initial reluctance, remarking: "I thought, 'There goes my day of tennis for charity work'."

The match proved competitive; they exchanged contacts and Parks became close friends with Wilder, famed for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Leading professionals participated in exhibitions too, including Davis Cup captain Dennis Ralston alongside Parks, with later endorsements from Yannick Noah, Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova.

The International Wheelchair Tennis Federation formed in 1988 with Parks as inaugural president, and the sport entered the Paralympics in 1992.

Parks, already a Paralympic gold medallist in wheelchair racing, secured the first doubles title with Randy Snow.

Full integration with the International Tennis Federation occurred in 1998, pioneering disability sport inclusion and enabling greater growth. Parks believes retaining sole control would have limited progress, as seen elsewhere.

The Australian Open hosted the first Grand Slam wheelchair event in 2002, followed by all four majors by 2007. Quad divisions expanded and reached every Grand Slam by 2019.

These accomplishments stemmed from Parks' persistent advocacy; recognition came in 2010 as the first wheelchair athlete inducted into the tennis Hall of Fame.

The annual Brad Parks Award honours exceptional contributions to wheelchair tennis.

Fifty years later Parks, who initially allotted himself one year to test feasibility, remains proud yet understated regarding his contribution.

"I led the organisation and was among the earliest dedicated players, yet claiming sole invention feels inaccurate; others like Minnebraker played vital roles," he notes.

Contemporary athletes express strong admiration.

"I feel profound respect," said Britain's 34-time Grand Slam champion Alfie Hewett.

"It concerns not trophies but the life and purpose it provides."

Gordon Reid, winner of 30 Grand Slam titles, added: "It is a remarkable tale; that small notion from 50 years ago has become a global phenomenon. I am grateful for that original idea."

Significant evolution includes lighter chairs with moulded seats improving turning efficiency.

Growth continues: Wimbledon's wheelchair programme, starting Tuesday, features a prize fund exceeding one million pounds, with singles champions receiving 82,000 pounds each.

Visibility has increased, with finals now on Court One holding 12,345 spectators versus the 276-seat Court 17 used a decade ago.

Parks expresses satisfaction with current progress.

"I am pleased with our position," he said.

"I feel a positive envy, wishing I could have competed at venues like Wimbledon."

His original aim differed.

"I simply enjoyed striking tennis balls and wished to share that wheelchair experience," he said.

"What pleases me most is enabling others to become tennis players.

"I felt concern when many viewed themselves primarily as wheelchair basketball participants rather than tennis players. Now tennis stands independently; they are tennis players who happen to use wheelchairs."

Tennis
Disability Sport