2011 World Team Cup

The 1999 USTA Wheelchair Tennis player of the year and 2010 US Open doubles champion, Taylor is one of the top American wheelchair tennis players in the world, with over 150 career titles in various wheelchair tennis divisions.

Playing tennis since age 14, Taylor is the one of the few players on the tour who uses a power wheelchair and the only known player in the world who tosses the ball with his foot to serve. The former world No. 1 quad singles and doubles player captured two quad gold medals at the Paralympic Games (2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing) with David Wagner - a team that has become one of the most successful wheelchair tennis duos in history.

Taylor has also consistently represented the U.S. in the Quad World Team Cup and helped the U.S. capture its first quad title since 2007 this year, defeating Israel in the final.

Taylor received his Masters of Sports Administration from Wichita State University in 2007 and became the Volunteer Assistant Coach for WSU Men’s Tennis this year after serving as the men’s and women’s team manager for four years. He has also served as the tournament director for the $10,000 USTA Pro Circuit women’s event held in Wichita and holds the Key to the City of Wichita, an honor granted by the city’s mayor.

The youngest American player particpating in the 2011 World Team Cup, Baron is a rising star on the junior circuit of wheelchair tennis. At just 4'11", Baron plays much bigger than her size and identifies her forehand as her best weapon.

The 16-year-old from the island state of Hawaii is relatively new to competition despite beginning the game at the age of 9. Baron has risen as high as No. 4 in the ITF Girls' Singles rankings after strong showings in events in Taipei and Thailand, as well as the Cajun Classic in Baton Rouge in March.

Along with fellow junior Kate Stuteville, this is Baron's firs taste of WTC action - but hopefully not her last.

"Up until very recently, I didn't know how I compared to other wheelchair players," said Baron. "Before last year, I had never been out of the country and now, to be playing in international tournaments in Taipei, Thailand and now South Africa, it is such a great opportunity."

In addition to tennis, Baron is also an avid swimmer and loves basketball.

Rydberg is the former top-ranked American wheelchair tennis player, currently making a comeback to the game. He peaked to world No. 11 in 2007 and competed in the Paralympics in 2004 in Athens and in 2008 in Beijing. He has also represented the U.S. at the World Team Cup and competed in the 2006 and 2007 US Open.

Rydberg has played in several events since the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, winning the Atlanta Open in 2009 and reaching the semifinals of the Cajun Classic in Baton Rouge, La., this year. In addition to being a successful wheelchair tennis player, Rydberg is an accomplished wheelchair basketball player, earning a scholarship to play at the University of Texas-Arlington, where he helped lead the school to a national championship in 1997. He also holds a bachelors degree in art from University of Texas-Arlington.

Off the court, Rydberg coaches tennis at East Ridge High School in Woodbury, Minnesota.

For the latest exclusive recaps, blogs and photos from the 2011 World Team Cup in South Africa, stay tuned to USTA.com.

You can also follow us via our USTA Wheelchair Tennis Facebook page at: facebook.com/ustawheelchairtennis