But U.S. Paralympic tennis coach, Dan James, sees how committed Taylor is throughout every match he plays. “Nick’s commitment level is up to par, he is a great thinker throughout the game. Given his disabilities, Nick has to think through the process and his strategies are amazing and he is good at putting himself in the right position to win every point,” James said. “This year’s field will feature players who have a good amount of experience, but also some rookies. “It will be a great experience for all and we are excited to watch and see what happens,” James said. Even though Taylor has experienced the pageantry of the Paralympics before, there are still special moments to remember. “When walking into a stadium with 60,000 to 70,000 people at opening ceremonies and hear the United States of America get called as you walk out of that tunnel, you know that you are not only representing the United States but also your hometown, state, section in USTA, university and your coach,” Taylor said. “All you think about in those moments is all the people that got you there and all the sacrifices they have made for you, in addition to what sacrifices you made for yourself,” Taylor said, “I have altered my life to do what I have done.”
Taylor competing at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. 10 MISSOURIVALLEY.USTA.COM FALL/WINTER SERVE 2016
Even though it has been over a decade since Taylor first experienced the Paralympics, and even then he’d considered retiring beforehand, he’s in no rush of stopping. His life is dedicated to tennis, day in and day out, by spending his days as assistant coach for the men’s tennis team at his alma mater, Wichita State. When asked about what he had learned from his experience when growing up in the sport and what advice he can give any athletes who aspire to be great, Taylor said, “Don’t give up. Just keep going and when it doesn’t work, do it again. You have to be willing to fail, but not willing to accept failure, meaning it may not work the first time or the hundredth time.” This year, there wereover 4,200 athletes from around the world playing a variety of sports. Wheelchair tennis made its seventh appearance at the 2016 Paralympic games and the quad division will be included for the fourth time. Wheelchair tennis was originally an exhibition event starting in 1988. By 1992, it became a full medal sport in the Paralympic games held in Barcelona, Spain. Any athlete who competes in Paralympic tennis has a mobility-related disability and must compete in a wheelchair.
