wheelchair tennis
Wheelchair tennis is one of the forms of tennis adapted for wheelchair users. The size of the court, net height and rackets are the same, but there are two major differences from pedestrian tennis: athletes use specially designed wheelchairs, ...
player who is currently the highest ranked woman in the sport in Britain. A previous singles & doubles National Champion, Lucy has represented Great Britain at three successive Paralympic Games, twice winning a bronze medal in the women's doubles and is former World Doubles Champion and World Team Cup Silver Medallist amongst a number of other National and International successes.
In 2008, she competed in the singles and doubles events for the first time in Wheelchair tennis at the Beijing Paralympics.
Lucy made history at the London 2012 Paralympics alongside fellow Brit
Jordanne Whiley
Jordanne Joyce Whiley MBE (born 11 June 1992) is a British retired wheelchair tennis player. Aged 14, she became Britain's youngest ever national women's singles champion in wheelchair tennis. She has osteogenesis imperfecta as does her fathe ...
when the pair became the first women to win a medal for Great Britain in wheelchair tennis, coming from match point down to secure Bronze in the women's doubles event.
Lucy and Jordanne retained their Bronze medal status in the Women's Wheelchair Doubles at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.
Early life
Shuker was born in
Doha, Qatar
Doha ( ar, الدوحة, ad-Dawḥa or ''ad-Dōḥa'') is the capital city and main financial hub of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf coast in the east of the country, north of Al Wakrah and south of Al Khor (city), Al Khor, it is home to m ...
, but grew up in
Fleet, Hampshire
Fleet is a town and civil parish in the Hart District of Hampshire, England, centred 38.2 miles (61.5 km) WSW of London and 13 miles (21 km) east of Basingstoke. It is the major town of the Hart District, and has large technology business a ...
. Lucy comes from a talented badminton family and started played badminton at an early age before going on to represent Hampshire County at National Competitions, alongside her brother Matthew Shuker, who held a career high World ranking of No.43 in men's singles. Lucy also had a love of horse riding until she had a motorbike accident at the age of 21 which left her paralysed from the T4 vertebra.
Tennis career
Lucy started playing
wheelchair tennis
Wheelchair tennis is one of the forms of tennis adapted for wheelchair users. The size of the court, net height and rackets are the same, but there are two major differences from pedestrian tennis: athletes use specially designed wheelchairs, ...
in 2002, less than 12 months after her life changing motorbike accident. She was introduced to the sport by former Quad World No.#1 Pete 'Quadfather' Norfolk during the process of buying her first wheelchair.
Lucy is an inspiration to many. As a T4 Paraplegic, her injury was initially considered too profound for her to find success in wheelchair tennis. However, this has only ever served to motivate Lucy more and her previous badminton experience and strong hand-eye co-ordination has made her a natural talent. As one of the most disabled women on tour, Lucy continues to find success amongst the top players in the game.
In 2013, Lucy became the first British Wheelchair Tennis Player to compete at all 4 major Tennis Grand Slams in the same year when she competed at the US Open in New York, the same year that she obtained her highest singles ranking to date of World No.5.
In 2016, Lucy won her first Doubles Masters title, partnering
Diede de Groot
Diede de Groot (born 19 December 1996) is a Dutch wheelchair tennis player who is the current world No. 1 in both singles and doubles.
De Groot is a 31-time major champion, having won 16 titles in singles, and 15 titles in doubles. In 2021, sh ...
to the title.
In 2018, Lucy made a return to a Grand Slam final when she partnered Sabine Ellerbrock to reach the Wimbledon Doubles Final, and in 2021 she also reached the Australian Open Doubles Final with KG Montjane.
In June 2021 she and
Jordanne Whiley
Jordanne Joyce Whiley MBE (born 11 June 1992) is a British retired wheelchair tennis player. Aged 14, she became Britain's youngest ever national women's singles champion in wheelchair tennis. She has osteogenesis imperfecta as does her fathe ...
were among six tennis players named to represent the UK at the postponed 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.
Personal life
Lucy achieved a BSc Hons in the Science and Management of Exercise and Health from University of Surrey in 2001.
In 2011, Lucy was named the Vitalise Woman of Achievement, and collected the award from disability charity Vitalise in recognition of her achievements in the world of disabled sport.
On 8 November 2017, Lucy was awarded an HonoraryDoctorate of Arts from
Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University is a public university in Bournemouth, England, with its main campus situated in neighbouring Poole. The university was founded in 1992; however, the origins of its predecessor date back to the early 1900s.
The univer ...
. In January 2019, Lucy and South African partner Kgothatso Montjane reached the semi-finals of the women's wheelchair doubles at the Australian Open, but were defeated by second seeds
Marjolein Buis
Marjolein Buis (born 11 January 1988) is a Dutch retired wheelchair tennis player. Buis won 18 singles titles and 52 doubles titles. She won the gold medal in the women's doubles event with Esther Vergeer along with six grand slam doubles and t ...