Former British wheelchair tennis player Louise Hunt Skelley PLY will be sharing her expertise commentating at this year’s Paralympic Games hosted in Paris.
Louise, who lives in Wroughton near Swindon, is no stranger to the world of wheelchair tennis commentary, and has followed her successful global playing career with one in commentary and tournament directing and is one of Wiltshire’s most successful athletes.
When competing, she represented Great Britain at both the London and Rio Paralympics, represented her country at 13 World Team Cups, and has won 13 senior singles and 41 senior doubles titles, with a career-high world ranking of 10.
In 2021, Louise made the choice to conclude her competitive sports career, having successfully accomplished and surpassed all the goals she had set herself.
As she steps into the commentary booth for the Paris2024 Paralympics, Louise brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise. She is a regular commentator on the tennis circuit.
“I’m very excited to be part of the commentary team in Paris later this year and will be watching and sharing my thoughts on the competition between August 30 and September 7.
“In my view the players to watch this time are Tokito Oda from Japan, who is Britain’s Alfie Hewitt’s biggest threat at present, both contesting for a gold medal. Gordon Reid is also another home favourite to watch not just in the singles, but also alongside Hewitt where they’ll be looking to add to their impressive list of achievements as a double pairing.”
Louise will be in Paris for the Paralympic Games commentating for Channel 4 in the famous Roland Garros site, known for the French Open.
The Paralympic Games mark an exhilarating time for Louise as not only is she taking on the responsibility of commentating on the world stage again as she guides viewers through the thrilling wheelchair tennis matches, she will be keeping a keen eye on her husband and medal hopeful in judo, Chris Hunt Skelley MBE. Chris will be in the Champ-de-Mars Arena competing in a new weight category, after he took gold in Tokyo 2020.
“I’m always more nervous for Chris than I am when it comes to anything to do with myself! I know I’ll be a nervous wreck on the day he’s competing however given that I also know how hard he’s worked and how dedicated he is – I have no doubt he’ll be able to leave those games with his head held high again!”
Today Louise is a tennis commentator, tournament director, inclusion specialist as well as a motivational speaker.