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Tennis discovered Harlon Matthews on Cinco de Mayo 2001. A wheelchair basketball player at the time, Matthews had no interest in tennis. \u201cThey told me I\u2019d have to hold the racquet but still keep my chair moving. They told me I\u2019d get blisters,\u201d says Matthews. \u201cI told them, \u2018No thank you.\u2019\u201d

But when Tennis Day arrived in Athens Ga., Matthews gave tennis a try. And tennis changed his life. \u201cI never felt that in 34 years of my life,\u201d he said. Matthews began as a novice player but kept at it. Now, he is the Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator and tennis coach in Henry County, Ga.

Matthews didn\u2019t stop there; he became a member of the PTR and passed the instructor test. \u201cHe\u2019s amazing,\u201d says Julie Jilly, the PTR\u2019s v.p. of operations. \u201cHe moved up from beginner player to clinician. He\u2019s very passionate about what tennis can do for people. Now, he teaches the teachers.\u201d

In addition, Matthews is a tournament director for the Geranium Festival Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, which recently was named USTA Southern Section\u2019s 2010 Tournament of the Year.

\u201cThe one thing that makes Harlon such a successful person is his passion, love for tennis and his unbelievable competitive nature despite his disability,\u201d says Rick Davison, director of competition for USTA Georgia. \u201cHe\u2019s just one of those individuals who inspires others to just do it and stop making excuses.\u201d