U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Begins Today

The world’s top wheelchair tennis players will be here starting today for the Everest & Jennings U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships at the Racquet Club of Irvine.

Laurent Giammartini of France, the No. 1 men’s player in the world, heads the men’s open draw. San Clemente’s Brad Parks is seeded fourth.

Randy Snow of Texas, the defending U.S. Open champion and winner of the gold medal in singles at the Paralympic Games in Barcelona last month, has announced his retirement from competitive tennis.

Monique van den Bosch of Holland, the defending U.S. Open women’s champion and the gold medalist in singles at the Paralympics, is the No. 1-seeded women. She will likely be challenged by No. 2 Chantal Vandierendonck also of Holland.

The competition runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Championships will also be contested in quad, junior and master’s divisions. Finals are scheduled Oct. 17-18. Admission is free.