McEnroe and Sabatini captain Sanitas Foundation inclusive tennis Masters

The inaugural Sanitas Foundation Inclusive Tennis Masters brought wheelchair tennis stars and convention legends together at Madrid’s Caja Mágica on October 8, showcasing adaptive sports under a newly established competition format. From the Madrid Tennis Federation (FTM), Laura Sambruno competed with an FTM license.

Tennis legends John McEnroe and Gabriela Sabatini served as team captains during the exhibition event held at Estadio 3, where athletes with and without disabilities shared the court across four distinct matches.

Captains McEnroe and Sabatini Headline Caja Mágica Exhibition

The showcase featured prominent figures from international tennis and the Spanish adaptive circuit. McEnroe, a former world number one and seven-time Grand Slam champion, partnered with Spanish women’s wheelchair tennis number one Laura Sambruno. On the opposing side, US Open champion and Olympic silver medalist Gabriela Sabatini teamed up with Martín de la Puente.

Additional participants included Spanish men’s wheelchair number two Dani Caverzaschi, alongside younger talents Carmen Lobo, Sam Gómez, and Thalita Rodrigues. Alex Corretja and Ana Salas provided match commentary for the public audience in attendance. Iván Corretja also participated in the event.

Developing Official Rules for Inclusive Competition

The format structures play into four specific encounters: a wheelchair Paralympic prospects singles match, an inclusive standing mixed doubles match, a wheelchair tennis singles match, and an inclusive mixed doubles match combining standing and wheelchair players.

Player Perspectives on Adaptive Sports Visibility

McEnroe noted that the initiative provides an alternative platform for the sport while creating opportunities and inspiration for individuals with disabilities. Sabatini highlighted the growing public awareness around adaptive athletics, expressing honor at sharing the court with competitors like de la Puente and Caverzaschi, noting Es maravilloso ver el trabajo que hacen en Fundación Sanitas. Creo que se está tomando mucha más conciencia. Poder compartir una cancha de tenis con Martín de la Puente, con Dani Caverzaschi y con muchísimos más es un gran honor.

De la Puente emphasized the importance of instilling hope and demonstrating that persistence yields results regardless of physical circumstance, stating that it is fundamental to give ilusión a la gente, que vean que aunque tengas una discapacidad, que si lo intentas y luchas por tu sueño, lo puedes conseguir. Meanwhile, Caverzaschi pointed to the rising competitive standard in wheelchair tennis and the significance of performing before packed stadium crowds, asserting that el nivel de tenis en silla está subiendo y, poco a poco, estamos jugando delante de espectadores, con estadios llenos and that estos encuentros sirven para hacer saber que el tenis se puede practicar de distintas maneras y que la gente con cualquier tipo de discapacidad, con cualquier tipo.