I would like you to consider rethinking the changes you are making to the Para classification for wheelchair tennis. I would respectfully suggest that changes that consider someone who was classified within the eligibility criteria and now is considered not disabled enough is detrimental to the inclusivity of sport.

Looking at the Paralympic Games it is clear that the amount of coverage has improved and that more people with disabilities are inspired by the efforts of Paralympians to take up sport.

I would also like to highlight an example. Alfie Hewett, who as you are aware is a very successful wheelchair tennis player and is in the position that he finds himself that although he still has the same disability that has affected him since he was a child, he is now in danger of being considered not disabled enough to compete. 

Considering that although Alfie can walk, his ability to walk is severely impaired and he cannot walk any distance that an able bodied person would consider normal. His athletic ability is so diminished that he will never be able to play tennis without a wheelchair and this is what should be the overriding factor. 

The fact that he plays in the open category where players upper body is unaffected and use of his legs bears no impact on his tennis ability should be enough to allow someone who is an inspiration to many people in a wheelchair to take up tennis. 

I hope that you will consider the support this petition has for reconsidering your decision to reclassify the criteria.