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Ready to serve (Lucy Shuker)
Lucy Shuker is a history maker, and one of Great Britain’s most successful wheelchair tennis players.
In 2012 Lucy and fellow Brit Jordanne Whiley, became the first women to win a medal for Great Britain in wheelchair tennis. They went on to become the first Paralympic pair to ever feature on the podium three consecutive times and in Tokyo won an amazing silver medal. With the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games just around the corner, tennis fever will soon be upon us once more.
We caught up with Lucy, 44 who lives in Dorset to discuss giving back, life goals and the dream of that Paralympic gold:
You’re one of the country’s most successful wheelchair tennis players and alongside competing in four consecutive Paralympic Games, you’ve achieved career best rankings of World No.#5 in singles and World No.#3 in doubles. What’s next?
I recently equalled my highest ever ranking which I first achieved in 2013 so feel like I am still pushing boundaries and competing with the top girls. The pandemic restrictions gave me time to really look at where I was. Having time to concentrate on staying safe, active and healthy helped me reset. I became the fittest I’d ever been, and slept really well! I made the most of it, maintained that extra fitness and felt my love for the sport was reignited. I’m still pushing for that Paralympic Gold – that would be the ultimate medal. And a Grand Slam would be amazing too.
How did you become injured?
I was 21 and was in my first job after graduating. Using my first pay packet I took my direct motorbike licence and 12 days later, after passing my test, I had my motorbike accident. I was injured at T4 and was sent to the Salisbury spinal unit where I stayed for ten months.
What are your memories of that time?
I don’t think I realised the magnitude of what I’d done.
I went to my graduation in a hospital wheelchair and brace. Seeing people then that I hadn’t seen since the accident was incredibly tough. Returning to Salisbury after day release, I first saw my MRI scan. Initially, doctors had thought the damage to my vertebrae wasn’t that extensive but that was the moment I saw clearly that the spinal cord had been severed. I knew then there would be no fixing, no changing. This was my life from now on.
But you do learn to adapt. I bought my first wheelchair through Pete Norfolk, Paralympian and the ‘quadfather’ of wheelchair who suggested I try wheelchair tennis. Before my injury, I’d been a badminton player so I thought I’d give tennis a go, never realising where it would take me!
You were told that you were “too disabled” to compete as your injury level was so profound compared to other wheelchair tennis players. How do you handle that?
I always knew with my level of injury that life would be challenging. I had to find ways of getting stronger and of thinking outside the box. At first, I couldn’t hold a medicine ball, but I had some great fitness instructors who supported me, and I started becoming stronger. It was tough but I enjoyed it.
When I qualified for Beijing 2008, it was like the ultimate dream. Little did I know that I would lose against the girl who went on to win bronze. At that moment, I remember thinking that I could become quite good at this!
Any other dreams in the pipeline?
I want to keep giving back by getting more people into the sport, helping others who’ve had an accident by reassuring and giving support and advice. We can learn so much from each other and that’s so important.
Lucy was selected as flagbearer for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games alongside wheelchair basketball player Terry Bywater. She will be competing in her fifth consecutive games and describes the honour of carrying the flag as a dream come true.
“It’s an incredible honour. When I was asked to be put forward, I thought that’s as good as it gets. But when I found out a couple of days ago, it’s mind blowing. To be nominated and voted for by team-mates makes it even more important, it is humbling. We have athletes who have won gold medals, achieved far more than me, so to be selected, all I can say is thank you to them.”
Photos: @ParalympicsGB
Story first published in FORWARD Summer 2022 (Updated: August 2024)
This story appeared in previous issue of our magazine FORWARD. The only magazine dedicated to the spinal cord injury community. With fascinating and thought-provoking lifestyle features and the latest news and research, the high-quality publication covers topics such as health, daily living, employment, relationships and family, sport and travel.
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