UPDATE JANUARY 29:
WHEN David Hall began playing tennis at age 12, he never imagined it would lead to a spot in the hall of fame.
Hall, 45, of Rockdale, was inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame at a ceremony at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, on Monday night. Hall is regarded one of the greatest wheelchair tennis players in history, after winning an incredible nine Australian Opens, eight US Opens and seven British Opens throughout his distinguished career.
The ceremony was held before the night session on centre court on Australia Day in front of a large crowd that included Australian sporting stars Rod Laver, Frank Sedgman, Kieren Perkins and Dawn Fraser.
Hall began playing wheelchair tennis at 19, three years after he lost his legs after being hit by a car.
He said the ceremony, during which he unveiled a bronze bust in his likeness, had overwhelmed him.
‘‘Australian tennis is woven into the fabric of our society so to be considered in a small little sliver of that is fantastic.’’
Hall, who was world No.1 for six consecutive years, said he was humbled to have his name alongside that of Pat Cash, Pat Rafter and Margaret Court.
‘‘You look through the list and it’s like a who’s who of Australian sport,’’ he said.
‘‘Maybe the moment will sink in more when they put my statue out in the garden square and I cruise around and have a look.’’
Hall said he ranked his gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics as his greatest on-court achievement.
‘‘That gold medal, that was the one I really wanted,’’ he said.
‘‘If I had to rank them than that is the one that stands out, especially winning it at home.’’
JANUARY 27:
Rockdale resident David Hall has been inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame.
Hall, 45, was inducted in a special ceremony at Rod Laver Arena on Monday night.
Hall is regarded as one of the greatest wheelchair tennis players in history after winning nine Australian Opens, eight US Opens and seven British Opens throughout his distinguished career.
The ceremony was held before the night session on centre court on Australia Day in front of a large crowd that included Australian sporting royalty Rod Laver, Frank Sedgman, Kieren Perkins and Dawn Fraser.
Hall began playing wheelchair tennis when he was 19, three years after losing his legs after being hit by a car.
He said the honour had overwhelmed him. “It’s very special.”
“It’s not something I ever thought would happen, especially considering how unique the Hall of Fame is."
Hall said he ranked his gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics as his greatest on-court achievement.
“That gold medal - that was the one I really wanted,” he said.
“If I had to rank them, then that is the one that stands out - especially winning it at home.”
