By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Emmy Kaiser of Fort Mitchell, the nation’s top-ranked wheelchair tennis player in women’s singles, will receive the Female Player of the Year award from the Professional Tennis Registry.
Kaiser, 25, will be among the players honored by the international organization of tennis teaching professionals during its annual symposium to be held Feb. 17-20 on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Emmy Kaiser (Photo from Professional Tennis Registry)
Peggy Edwards, director of communications for the Professional Tennis Registry, said Kaiser was named the top female player overall and not just in the wheelchair division. She said the organization has 15,000 members in 127 countries and only a handful are in wheelchairs.
In the latest rankings posted by the International Tennis Federation, Kaiser is No. 1 in the United States and No. 12 in the world among female wheelchair singles players. In doubles, she’s ranked No. 3 in the U.S. and No. 26 in the world.
Kaiser’s career records are 194-99 in singles and 109-82 in doubles, according to the www.itftennis.com website.
Born with spina bifida, Kaiser started playing wheelchair tennis as a young child. She has competed on the international wheelchair tour since 2004 and she’s been a member of the U.S. World Team Cup women’s team since 2009.
The St. Henry High School graduate won a gold medal in women’s doubles and silver medal in women’s singles at the 2011 Parapan American Games. One year later, she made it to the round of 16 in both singles and doubles at the 2012 Paralympics in London.
Kaiser is now a graduate student at Ball State University in Indiana, working on a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology with a minor in coaching education. She is already a certified coach of wheelchair tennis and takes time to work with juniors and adults while also giving demonstrations.
Way to Go!! We’re proud of you Emmy.