A world number one tennis hero who has Asperger’s syndrome will fly to France next week for a chance at gold

Archie Graham may not be an Aussie household name like Ash Barty, but he is another Ipswich tennis great, holding several world and national tennis titles – and he’s eyeing off his next.

Ipswich Tennis World Champion, Archie Graham, is competing in the Virtus Global Games this July.

Archie Graham may not be an Aussie household name like Ash Barty, but he is another Ipswich tennis great holding several world and national tennis titles.

Graham, 30, who has Asperger’s syndrome, is the current world number one for II-1 Men’s Doubles and number three for II-1 Men’s Singles.

In 2018, Graham received the prestigious Tennis Australia’s John Newcombe medal for people with a disability.

Next week from the June 4-10 2023, he will jet to France as part of Australia’s national PWII (person’s with intellectual impairment) tennis team competing in the Virtus Global Games.

The Virtus Global Games is the world’s largest elite sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment and only takes place every four years.

Graham says he believes he is in good standing to maintain his current national and world titles.

“I’m in a very good place at the moment, I feel like my chances are very high, I’ve been training well, eating well and just doing the best I can for this event,” Says Graham.

“Every day during the week I do a lot of off-court and on-court sessions during the week and rest more on the weekend if I’m not playing a tournament.

“It’s a big massive honour to be a part of the Australian team.

“I’m in my 15th year playing tennis, I started when I was 15 and I am nearly 30 years old. It’s a passion that doesn’t go away for me. I found the thing I like the most and I am very good at it.”

Ipswich Tennis World Champion, Archie Graham, is competing in the Virtus Global Games this July.

Not only does Graham love playing tennis, he gives back through coaching at the Ipswich District Junior Tennis Association.

“Coaching is another icing on the cake when I play my tennis.

“I try to give back … (and) pass it on to other generations. I want to inspire the next generation.

“For me trying to help other people be the best they can is super rewarding because I love coaching people.

“It’s definitely rewarding when I do that and a nice experience to help others be the best they can be,” says Graham.

The Australian Tennis PWII team competing in the Virtus Global Games this July.

Australian Tennis PWII team head coach, Alison Scott, says the world championship team is ready and feeling confident going overseas.

“This year’s team is a big team, and we are really proud of that,” said Scott.

There are three classifications in the intellectual impairment PWII pathway, these being, II-1 Intellectual Disability, II-2 Down syndrome and finally II-3 Autism.
“It is the first year players in the II-3 category, which is players on the autism spectrum, have been able to compete in the games, and we are excited to take two players from this category overseas to compete.

“We have been really looking forward to this moment, because we feel Australia is ahead of the game in the II-3 category.

“We have been really supporting players on the autism spectrum in Australia, so we are so excited to have this opportunity, and hopefully we can build on this and grow more competition from here.

“The team is very well prepared and well trained, which is brilliant.”