Iowa duo competes at Adaptive Tennis National Championships

Once again, Marion native Nathan Williams headed to Orlando to take part in the USTA Adaptive Doubles National Championships on Oct. 5-6. Last time he ventured south with his mother, Teresa, and they won their division. This year he instead opted to play with his friend Brady Anderson. The duo met in high school when they both played on the tennis team and have played on and off over the years.

“I hope that Brady and I play well. It will be fun to reconnect with other tennis players I have gotten to know over the years,” Williams said prior to the tournament. “Brady is the best tennis player I know."

“I'm most looking forward to a fun experience with Nathan and competing with him,” Anderson said. “He loves the game of tennis more than I do and is a great competitor and player. Also looking forward to a fun time in Florida with nice and warm weather as well as getting to meet many other players from all over the country!”

Williams and Anderson had a tremendous showing in Orlando, winning their first four matches to progress to the Group 1 Playoffs. In the playoffs, Williams/Anderson split their four matches and wound up in second place overall.

Williams has been playing tennis for over 20 years when his mom first took him to the courts. His favorite parts of the game, he said, are when he serves aces and hits winners. He has many favorite memories over the years. 

“My favorite moment for tennis was when I beat the previous Special Olympics gold medal winner from 2018 in 2022 in Orlando,” he said. “I beat him in the preliminary round pretty easily and then in the final for the highest level of tennis for the USA Games for the Special Olympics. My second favorite moment was when I won another national tournament, the Xperience Tournament, in Charlottesville, Va. in January 2024.”

For full results from the 2024 Adaptive Tennis National Championships, click here. For a USTA National article recapping the event, click here.