Miami, the City of Magic, can now also be called the city of adaptivity, thanks to the USTA in conjunction with tennis clothing brand Lucky in Love. 

 

Lucky in Love sponsored travel to Miami for five of Team USA’s wheelchair members to help support "Sabrina's Adaptive Beach" charity event on Saturday, October 20. Team USA members Nick Taylor, Chris Herman, Casey Ratzlaff, Shelby Baron and Mackenzie Soldan held an on-court wheelchair exhibition, with special guest  and eight-time Grand Slam champion Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Mattek-Sands joined Team USA hitting balls and even hopped in a wheelchair to try wheelchair tennis for the first time. 

 

“To have Bethanie spend time with our Team USA members, along with her jumping in a tennis wheelchair for the first time in her life, only enhanced the tremendous time had by all who attended.  Thank you to Lucky in Love and Sabrina for hosting such an awesome event!” said Team USA wheelchair tennis coach Jason Harnett. 

ADVERTISEMENT

 

The event supported Sabrina Cohen, a Miami resident and philanthropist, in raising funds for her dream of building a fully adaptive recreation center in Miami, not only to help develop a healthy lifestyle for persons with disabilities, but also to allow them to have a chance to swim in the ocean with the help of an army of volunteers, everyday. Currently, Sabrina's foundation hosts two opportunities a month for people with disabilities to enjoy that experience.

 

"It was a great time for all and a unique experience for everyone there to see Bethanie and fellow Team USA Member, Nick Taylor, a four-time Paralympian and 3-time Gold Medalist in Doubles, hit balls together, as both athletes will most likely be future Tennis Hall of Fame Members upon completion of their careers," said Joanne Wallen, Director of Adult Individual Play and Wheelchair for the USTA. "What a great day for all who were involved for such a wonderful cause that Sabrina's Adaptive Beach is trying to make a reality!"