Lucy Shuker has become a symbol of resilience and inspiration in the world of wheelchair tennis, having spent more than two decades competing at the highest level. At 44, Shuker has established herself as one of Britain’s most successful players, with achievements including a silver medal in women’s doubles at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and a storied career in Grand Slam tournaments. Her journey to success, however, began not with the goal of becoming a Paralympian, but with a search for personal recovery and rediscovery.
Shuker’s path to wheelchair tennis began after a life-changing motorcycle accident when she was 21. The crash left her paralyzed from the chest down, and she spent 10 months in the hospital adjusting to her new reality. It was during this challenging recovery process that she first encountered wheelchair tennis. After purchasing a wheelchair from Peter Norfolk, a British quad wheelchair tennis legend, Shuker was encouraged to try the sport, as it seemed like a natural fit given her pre-accident love of badminton.
Initially, Shuker didn’t view wheelchair tennis as a way to become a world-class athlete. She took up the sport simply to find enjoyment and a way to reconnect with herself. “It wasn’t to become a Paralympian,” she recalls. Yet, as she grew in skill and confidence, her potential as a competitor blossomed. She achieved a career-high ranking of No 5 in singles and No 3 in doubles, earned multiple titles, and made her mark on the sport, including being the flagbearer for Great Britain at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Over the years, Shuker has dealt with the struggles of comparing herself to athletes with less severe disabilities, which has led to moments of self-doubt. However, her deep love for the sport, coupled with years of experience, has kept her going. Her perseverance and success are a testament to the strength of her character and her desire to keep pushing herself to achieve more.
The sport of wheelchair tennis itself has also undergone significant evolution during Shuker’s career. The integration of wheelchair tennis into major tournaments, including the expansion of wheelchair tennis draws at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, has helped elevate the profile of the sport. Shuker sees this growth as crucial, not only for the athletes but for raising awareness and increasing opportunities for sponsorship.
Off the court, Shuker uses her platform to advocate for causes that are important to her. As an LTA youth ambassador, she promotes the benefits of tennis to young people and emphasizes the importance of physical activity in a world where technology is making people more sedentary. Shuker believes that early exposure to tennis can have long-term benefits, from improving physical fitness to enhancing teamwork and problem-solving skills.
However, Shuker’s influence goes beyond tennis. She is passionate about increasing accessibility for wheelchair users around the world. Drawing from her own experiences traveling to tournaments globally, Shuker has witnessed firsthand how the lack of accessible infrastructure can limit people with disabilities. “You want access to be the norm,” she says. She advocates for simple changes, such as ramps instead of steps, that can make a significant difference in allowing people to live more independently and inclusively.
Despite the challenges, Shuker’s journey continues to be one of triumph. She recently returned from a series of tournaments in the United States, where she won her 36th career singles title and her 93rd doubles title. As she moves forward into another busy season, Shuker’s story remains one of resilience, inspiration, and a steadfast commitment to both her sport and the greater cause of accessibility and inclusion for all.
