Wagner Wins Big At US Open Wheelchair Competition

It was a clean sweep for wheelchair tennis player David Wagner at the 2017 US Open Wheelchair Competition, where the Washington native picked up both the singles and doubles title in the quad division. 

“It is such a wonderful feeling to win both singles and doubles at the 2017 US Open.” said Wagner, “The tournament was run so well and we all had a great time there.”

Wagner paired up with world No. 2 Andy Lapthorne of Great Britain in doubles, where the pair defeated Australia’s Dylan Alcott and Wagner’s compatriot Bryan Barten in the final, 7-5, 6-2. 

Twenty-four hours after capturing their doubles titles, Wagner and Lapthorne took to the court again – only this time facing each other in the quad singles final. After a two-hour, tightly contested affair, Wagner came out on top, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.

In total, Wagner, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, now holds three US Open Wheelchair Competition quad singles titles and eight quad doubles titles.

In addition to Wagner and Barten, the Open also hosted two Team USA member Dana Mathewson, who, like Barten, earned made her US Open debut this year. 

Mathewson had an impressive first run at the US Open, making it to the women’s doubles final with partner Aniek van Koot after coming back from a set down to defeat the No. 2 seeds, Yui Kamiji of Japan and Britishwomen Lucy Shuker, 6-0, 4-6, [10-5], in the semifinals.

This win was especially momentous, as Mathewson became the first American wheelchair woman to win in Arthur Ashe Stadium. 

"In short, playing in New York was surreal," said Mathewson, "To be able to have my first match and win be on Arthur Ashe, the largest tennis stadium in the world, is something I wouldn't believe possible if you told me it'd happen a few weeks ago. Before that day, no wheelchair matches had ever occurred on Ashe, so to be part of that history is incredibly humbling."

Quad wheelchair player Barten, in his first US Open showing, was incredibly impressed by the tournament. 

“My first US Open was an amazing experience and the best tournament I have been to in my whole career," he said. "I am so glad I got to share this time with family, friends, teammates and coaches. The whole event made me proud to be an American.”