Courtney Webeck: An Aussie teenager decided to attain her goals | 19 August, 2023 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

Birmingham, Nice Britain, 19 August 2023 | Leigh Rogers

Courtney Webeck refuses to let impaired imaginative and prescient cease her from dwelling her goals.

Lower than two years after first selecting up a tennis racquet, the 19-year-old is representing Australia on the IBSA World Video games in Nice Britain.

The Worldwide Blind Sports activities Federation (IBSA) World Video games are the most important high-level worldwide occasion for visually impaired athletes.

Webeck is a part of an 11-member Australian tennis staff competing in Birmingham this week.

“It means a hell of lots to placed on the inexperienced and gold alongside some wonderful individuals,” Webeck instructed tennis.com.au.

“To make the Australian staff is a dream come true, one which I didn’t suppose can be a actuality 12 months in the past.”

Webeck, from Gloucester in New South Wales, contested her first BLV (blind and low imaginative and prescient) tennis match in Might 2022.

“I didn’t win something, however I actually loved it,” she mentioned.

“Then six months after that, I used to be fortunate sufficient to get the win on the nationwide championships and transfer to No.1 within the nation.”

Webeck defended her nationwide title on the 2023 Australian BLV Championships in Melbourne final month, successful each the B2 and B3 ladies’s singles occasions.

The college scholar now performs tennis 3 times every week. Her busy schedule additionally contains cricket, netball and horse driving.

“I’m doing a whole lot of pilates as properly to enhance my flexibility and stability,” she mentioned.

Webeck admits enjoying tennis comes with many challenges, each bodily and mentally.

“(Tennis) wasn’t the primary sport I regarded to. Not having the ability to see the ball, it was a bit difficult,” she mentioned.

An tailored foam ball that may be heard rattling throughout the courtroom is utilized in BLV tennis, with as much as three bounces allowed earlier than the ball should be hit. The courts are additionally smaller, with strains on the courtroom raised to mark boundaries.

Webeck says one among her largest obstacles when beginning out in tennis was “believing which you can get each ball again throughout the online”.

Her willpower to enhance has led to many particular experiences for Webeck.

She was thrilled to take part in a BLV tennis exhibition at Melbourne Park throughout Australian Open 2023 and was invited to affix Australian Billie Jean King Cup captain Alicia Molik in a Mastercard marketing campaign.

“She is essentially the most humble individual I’ve ever met,” Webeck mentioned of Molik, a former top-10 star and two-time Grand Slam doubles champion.

“It was wonderful to spend time together with her. She even performed tennis with me in a blindfold, which I feel gave her a brand new perspective on how individuals with a imaginative and prescient impairment play.”

Webeck, who lists Ash Barty as one among her largest inspirations, has additionally made many new buddies via the game.

“It’s a very welcoming surroundings, everyone seems to be so supportive of one another,” she mentioned.

Webeck, who may also signify Australia in cricket on the IBSA World Video games, is a proud Blind Sports activities Australia ambassador.

The position encompasses supporting her friends and serving to increase the profile of BLV sporting alternatives.

Her message to others is to “chase your goals”.

“You are able to do no matter you need,” she mentioned. “I didn’t suppose a yr in the past I’d be representing my nation in a number of sports activities, however right here I’m.”

> VIEW: Outcomes and schedule for the IBSA World Video games

E-book on-line, play immediately: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!