Shaw heading to another Paralympic Games

Rob Shaw will represent Canada at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in wheelchair tennis, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Tennis Canada announced late last week. 

Shaw will be making his second consecutive Paralympic appearance, looking to improve upon his opening-round defeat in his debut at Tokyo 2020. A two-time Parapan Am Games medallist, the 34-year-old won gold at the Lima 2019 Games and silver at Santiago 2023. He was Canada’s co-flag bearer for the Santiago 2023 Parapan Am Games Opening Ceremony.

“Qualifying for my second Paralympic Games is the result of a lot of hard work and a lot of support from the team around me,” said Shaw in a Tennis Canada release. “COVID drastically impacted my experience in Tokyo, so I am really looking forward to being part of the Games as they were meant to be this time around. Until then I plan on training and preparing as hard as I possibly can to ensure that my performance at the Games is as high quality as it possibly can be.”

See related: Skier and tennis player share Jack Burrows Memorial Award for sports achievement

Shaw's achievements have been recognized locally as he shared the 2023 Jack Burrows award for sports achievement with nordic skier Alex Maycock. 

Shaw was also given an honourary doctorate this spring from Nipissing University. 

Currently ranked world No. 9 in the quad singles division, Shaw won his first singles title of the season on July 14 at the German Open in Berlin, an ITF 2 Series event. He was also runner-up at the Royan Open (ITF 1 Series) in France in June. He has secured four doubles trophies, with victories at the Georgia Open (ITF 1 Series), Japan Open (ITF Super Series), Barcelona Open (ITF 1 Series), and Royan Open, partnering with his longtime teammate Heath Davidson from Australia.

“It has been an incredibly enriching experience to have been alongside Rob on this journey towards the Paralympic Games, with all its highs and lows,” said Kai Schrameyer, national coach of wheelchair tennis at Tennis Canada in a release.

“It cannot be overstated what a remarkable achievement it is for Rob to have secured a direct qualification slot for the Games as one of only 12 athletes in the quad division. I am looking forward to the competition in Paris and for Rob to leave it all on the court for Canada.”

Shaw qualified directly for the Games through his world ranking. Bipartite (wild card) slot allocation for athletes will be revealed in early August.

The wheelchair tennis tournament in Paris will take place on the red clay courts of Roland-Garros. The quad singles draw will commence on August 31 with the medal matches taking place September 5.