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Travis Nock, a resident of Millsboro, DE, has quickly made a name for himself in the world of wheelchair tennis. Through his unwavering dedication, resilience, and passion for the sport, he has elevated himself to a new level, becoming a rising star in the field. His remarkable journey began on February 9, 2023, when he took his first tennis lesson at Sea Colony with Director of Racquet Sports, Alex Justiniani, a wheelchair tennis certified professional through Professional Tennis Registry (PTR).
Since that pivotal day, Travis has achieved significant milestones, participating in a total of four tournaments in 2023 across VA, NJ, DE, and MD. His tournament debut on June 8 resulted in an outstanding 2nd place finish in the C Division. Notably, he clinched two first-place victories, one each in the D and C divisions.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) Delaware District has recognized Travis Nock's exceptional contributions to wheelchair tennis, naming him the recipient of the 2023 USTA Delaware District Annual Award for "Adaptive Player of the Year." This prestigious award, to be presented at the annual awards ceremony on February 25, 2024, at Wilmington Country Club, celebrates Travis's active involvement in adaptive tennis events, coupled with his sportsmanship, teamwork, and profound love for the game.
Travis Nock expressed his gratitude and acknowledged the support he received, saying, "I have found that the challenge has been in training, not the event. And sometimes people have a vested interest in just seeing others do well... Alex, Marie, and the Sea Colony staff do this unselfishly without reward."
Marie McIntosh, a longstanding promoter and supporter of wheelchair tennis, played a crucial role in connecting Travis with Sea Colony and Alex Justiniani. Travis and Alex engage in weekly training sessions, and Alex, reflecting on the experience, shared, "I am extremely proud and happy for Travis, he has provided the opportunity for me to coach and learn about wheelchair tennis competition, and it has been a fun ride. I also want to thank Marie McIntosh for always providing opportunities to anyone that wants to enjoy tennis; she's always looking out for ways to introduce the game to others."
Looking ahead to 2024, Travis Nock is determined to "dominate and make everyone who's given anything, from a conversation to court time with me, proud."
Travis's journey exemplifies the transformative power of sports and the inclusive spirit fostered at Sea Colony. His success is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Alex Justiniani, Marie McIntosh and the USTA, who continue to champion wheelchair tennis and create opportunities for players like Travis to thrive.