A positive attitude makes all the difference for Lucas Sithole
WESTDENE - One of South Africa's top wheelchair tennis players is creating waves in his career.
Ever wondered what makes Lucas Sithole one of the most interesting paralympians in the country?
Born in Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal, Sithole describes himself as a person who is always willing to break boundaries despite his disabilities. The Westdene resident who is ranked Number 2 in the world, mentioned that confidence and acceptance have been the cornerstone of his success.
As we settled for a chat at the University of Johannesburg’s tennis court before his intense training session with coach Holger Losch, Sithole talked of his life before tennis and why he opted to be a tennis player despite his disabilities.
“I fell in love with tennis in 2005 and started competing internationally a year later. This is one sport that I enjoy and win or lose – I always play to have fun,” he chuckles.
“I grew up in a village that was dusty and people there just loved playing in the street, but I have bigger dreams than that….I want to change the way people think about tennis; black people should not only play soccer – they should consider tennis as well,” he added.
When a traumatic train accident took both his legs and right arm in 1998 when he was only12 years old, Sithole accepted his situation and adopted a positive approach to life.
Today, he’s ranked Number 2 in the world – after his historic win over American world Number 1 and defending champion David Wagner at the US Open, to become the first African to win a US Open Grand Slam. He again defeated Wagner at the recent Japan Open to lift his second Super Series trophy for 2014.
The rivalry between the world Number 1 Wagner and world Number 2 Sithole is becoming legendary.
As for the Grand Slam win that caught media attention, Sithole explained that it was a well-deserved win because he thoroughly prepared for it.
“I know that when I play I don’t represent myself, I represent the country. I am one of the people who respects being called a South African.”
Sithole also added that “win or lose, I am not alarmed because I am an easy person. I don’t like stressing at all.”
Our small talk involved jokes about what he eats to keep fit, and he laughed and said he can never be in a diet. He is now at the upcoming BNP Paribas Open de France Super Series in Paris, France from 22 until 29 June.
