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FOOTHILLS—Local professional tennis player Conner Stroud lived his dream at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games this past weekend. Representing the U.S. in the wheelchair tennis competition at the prestigious clay courts of Roland Garros, which hosts the French Open, Stroud secured his first Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis men’s singles victory.

Stroud is known in the area for his outstanding tennis skills and for working at a tennis facility owned by his parents, Dewey and Rita Stroud. Peachtree Racquet Club, located at 515 Long Branch Rd. in Forest City, is a tennis-focused business that has been a popular playing spot for Polk County tennis players for decades.  

The Paralympics competition, which runs from August 30 to September 7, saw Stroud and the United States Paralympic tennis team, comprising the nation’s top-ranked players, aiming to return to the medal podium and showcase their tennis prowess on the world stage.

The 24-year-old’s historic win, 6-3, 6-1 over Costa Rica’s Jose Pablo Gill, on Court Philippe Chatrier, marked a significant milestone in his career and left a lasting impression on fans and peers alike. 

“It is incredibly special,” Stroud said after the match. “I could never have dreamed of playing on Court Philippe Chatrier, and I will always remember playing on such a historic court.

“To play in front of a big crowd to kickstart the Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Event here, I was quite nervous going into it. The feeling, however, was unbelievable, and I will always cherish it.”

Stroud’s journey to the Paralympic stage is particularly inspiring, given his early struggles with proximal femoral focal deficiency, which resulted in the absence of femurs, hips, ankles, and knees. Overcoming these challenges, Stroud transitioned to wheelchair tennis at 13, embarking on a remarkable path that has taken him to some of the world’s most renowned tennis courts.

Although Stroud faced a second-round loss to Japan’s Takashi Sanada, 6-1, 6-2, on Sunday and a first-round doubles loss Saturday to Argentina, 6-3, 6-4, alongside his partner Casey Ratzlaff, his presence at the Paris Paralympic Games will surely be a memory that lasts him a lifetime and prepares him for other big matches in his future. 

For the latest updates on Conner Stroud’s journey as a professional tennis player, visit his Instagram page @okayconner. To learn more about the Peachtree Racquet Club, featuring four lighted clay courts and offering private and group lessons, call (828) 429-5861.