Experts in Sport

Author: Loughborough University

Experts in Sport: The Loughborough University Sportcast, a podcast which brings together sporting excellence and academic knowledge. Hosted by the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University. 
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Language: en

Genres: Fitness, Health & Fitness, Nutrition

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E117: The Evolution of Wheelchair Tennis - From Day Chairs to Wimbledon Champions
Episode 117
Friday, 24 July, 2026

In this episodeof the Experts in Sport podcast, host Martin Foster is joined by former British No.1 and Wimbledon champion Jayant Mistry, Professor Vicky Tolfrey, and Dr Thomas Rietveld to explore how athlete experience, research and technology have driven the sport's evolution. From custom-built chairs and performance science to Wimbledon and the future of the game, discover how innovation continues to shape wheelchair tennis.01:00 Wimbledon reflections and how the sport has evolved05:00 Jayant Mistry's journey from local courts to Wimbledon champion08:50 Vicky Tolfrey's introduction to parasport research13:45 How Thomas Reitveld became a wheelchair tennis researcher16:45 The evolution of wheelchair tennis chairs21:00 Science meets sport: Optimising wheelchair performance27:20 Customised chairs, technology and performance gains32:20 Turning athlete ideas into research questions36:40 Court surfaces, Wimbledon grass and equipment regulations38:30 Accessibility, participation and getting started in wheelchair tennis44:20 Emerging research: surfaces, sensors and performance analysis46:20 Classification debates and inclusivity in wheelchair tennis53:50 The future of wheelchair tennis over the next decade