Apr 22, 2021
We focus on our special players and the outstanding Southerners who support our autistic community. We start with Debi and John Sweatt, parents of Rachel Sweatt, of Hot Springs, AR. Under the tutelage of her tennis-playing father, Rachel has risen though tournament play. This month she finished fifth in the 4.0 level of the USTA NTRP National Singles Championships. She also plays in special events and and has been accepted as a rising star for the Special Olympics. College tennis players and coaches are also supporting autistic players. North Carolina State women’s tennis coach Simon Earnshaw talks about how the women’s and men’s tennis teams host with the Abilities Tennis Winter Chill. The event, now running for 12 years, won the USTA Southern 2020 Special Tennis Event of the Year. Another award winner is profiled: Southern Tennis Professional of the Year Lane Hinson, of Columbia, SC. Props also go out to our junior spotlight player, Goshen, KY’s Willow Renton.