Adam Hills makes Para-Standing Tennis European Championships.
Comic and his partner become the doubles runners-up
Adam Hills has come runner-up in the Para-Standing Tennis European Championships.
The Last Leg host and his doubles partner Alex Hunt made it to the final in Barcelona, where they lost to Ross Cudmore and Matt Grover.
The comedian – and former professional tennis coach is currently making Foot Fault, a Sky TV documentary about the sport, which is designed for disabled tennis players who can’t or don’t want to take part in a wheelchair.
Posting on Instagram, Hills said: ‘Chuffed to be Doubles Runners Up at the @parastandingtennis European Championships in Barcelona. Always a joy to play with @thealexhunt_ and happy to bow down to the worthy winners @ross_cudmore1 and @matt.grover93 . Celebrate well lads, for as long as you like.’
Hills and Hunt are now playing in the world championships in Turin, with their first match this afternoon.
When news of his film was announced earlier this month, Hills, who was born without a right foot, said: ‘At the moment the world of tennis feels like a building with an entrance for able-bodied people and an entrance for people in wheelchairs, but nothing for anyone in between.
‘I've spent years searching for a way to play tennis against people like me, and at the age of 53 time may be running out. I want to play para-standing tennis while I can, but I also want to make sure there's a way for kids with disabilities to be able to play the sport they love, on a level playing field. I've got a pretty loud microphone, and I intend to use it.’
And as he set out to become a world champion himself, he said: ‘Being a comedian is all about having ridiculous ideas, then seeing how far you can take them.’
Hills will return to Channel 4 alongside Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker for a two-hour general election episode of The Last Leg on July 5 – the day after the national poll.
Published: 21 Jun 2024
