On Sunday, the Birmingham National Wheelchair Tennis Championships came to a close, as Canada’s best were crowned at the Sobeys Atlantic Tennis Centre in Bedford, Nova Scotia.
In women’s singles, Frédérique Bérubé-Perron won her very first title without dropping a set. Flawless in the round robin, she ousted defending champion Natalia Lanucha (6-2, 6-2). The 18-year-old Quebecer was equally brilliant in the junior event, winning both of her round-robin matches to claim her second national title.
“Wow, wow, wow! I’m speechless! I’m thrilled to end my year on this positive note. A big thank you to the tournament organizers, to Tennis Canada and especially to my tough opponents,” said a delighted Frédérique Bérubé-Perron after the wins.
In women’s doubles, Natalia Lanucha and Anne-Marie Dolinar secured their third straight Canadian title, which is also Lanucha’s sixth consecutive championship since 2018 (the tournament was cancelled in 2020).
In the men’s singles draw, Thomas Venos cruised to his fifth national title, losing only eight games in five matches. Though the final against his doubles partner Barry Henderson (2) proved to be a more hardwon battle, he emerged victorious at the outcome of two sets (7-5, 6-1). In doubles, Henderson and Venos lost just two games during the entire tournament, prevailing 6-1. 6-1 in the final over Shawn Douglas Courchesne and Jean-Paul Mélo. It was Venos’ sixth consecutive Canadian doubles title and his fifth with Henderson.
“I started playing smart and consistent tennis,” said Thomas Venos. “But with a big lead in the first set, I
wasn’t able to close it, and my opponent came storming back to make it close. I managed to win the last
three games by focusing on my game and finding consistency again. I was able to take that into the
second set where I made it comfortable till the end. Congrats to Barry on his performance. He played very well and challenged me. I am very happy about my fifth national title in a row.”
In the quads, Mitch McIntyre dominated, taking both the singles and doubles crowns and stumbling in only one game in four matches. It was Hisham Mohammad who managed to secure a point against him in their singles duel. In doubles, McIntyre and Mohammad overpowered Steven Dunn and Erduan Solak in identical sets (6-0, 6-0). McIntyre took home both titles for the second year running.
Click here to see all the results from the Birmingham National Wheelchair Tennis Championships. The 2024 Birmingham Legacy Award was presented to Michelle McDonell for her outstanding efforts and contributions to wheelchair tennis. As the Executive Director of BC Wheelchair Sports (BCWSA), she has played a key role in organizing several national and international tournaments and works with Tennis Canada to implement mental health strategies, making a significant contribution to the development of Canadian wheelchair tennis players.
About the Birmingham Legacy Award
The Birmingham Legacy Award represents the highest honour within the game of wheelchair tennis in Canada. Founded in 2023 and named after wheelchair tennis philanthropist Betty Birmingham and her family; this award is given out annually to an individual or organization for outstanding contributions to the game.
About Tennis Canada
Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association with a mission to lead the growth, development and promotion of tennis in Canada and a vision to be a world-leading tennis nation. We value teamwork, passion, integrity, innovation and excellence. Tennis Canada owns and operates the premier National Bank Open presented by Rogers WTA and ATP Tour events, four professional ATP and ITF sanctioned events and financially supports four other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates junior national training centres/programs in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada please visit our website at: www.tenniscanada.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.
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