View source for Peter Norfolk

{{short description|British wheelchair tennis player}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox tennis player
|name                              = Peter Norfolk<br /><small>{{nobold|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}}}</small>
|image                             = Peter Norfolk (GBR).jpg
|caption                           = Peter Norfolk at the [[2011 US Open (tennis)|2011 US Open]].
|fullname                          =
|country                           = {{GBR2}}
|residence                         = Alton, Hampshire
|birth_date                        = {{birth date and age|1960|12|13|df=y}}
|birth_place                       = London
|death_date                        =
|death_place                       =
|turnedpro                         = 1991
|retired                           = 2013
|plays                             =
|careerprizemoney                  =
|tennishofyear                     = <!-- year inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame -->
|tennishofid                       = <!-- ID from the Tennis HoF website, taken from http://www.tennisfame.com/hall-of-famers/First Name-Last Name i.e. martina-navratilova, which it is all undercase letters-->
|website                           = {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090809200615/http://www.quadfather.co.uk/ Official website]}}
|singlesrecord                     = 256–38
|singlestitles                     =
|highestsinglesranking             = No.1 (29 September 2003)
|AustralianOpenresult              = '''W''' (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012)
|USOpenresult                      = '''W''' (2007, 2009)
|Othertournaments                  = yes
|WheelchairTennisMastersresult     = '''W''' (2006, 2009, 2010)
|Paralympicsresult                 = [[File:Gold medal Paralympics.svg|20px]] '''Gold Medal''' (2004, 2008)
|doublesrecord                     = 127–55
|doublestitles                     =
|highestdoublesranking             = No.1 (12 September 2011)
|grandslamsdoublesresults          =
|AustralianOpenDoublesresult       = '''W''' (2011, 2012)
|USOpenDoublesresult               = F (2007, 2009, 2010)
|OthertournamentsDoubles           = yes <!-- adds a "Other doubles tournaments" title -->
|WheelchairTennisMastersDoublesresult   = '''W''' (2003, 2004, 2010)
|ParalympicsDoublesresult          = [[File:Silver medal Paralympics.svg|20px]] '''Silver Medal''' (2004, 2012)
|WheelchairWorldTeamCupresult      = [[File:Gold medal world centered-2.svg|20px]] '''Champion''' (2001, 2002, 2009)
|updated                           = <!-- adds date this template was last updated at an individual article -->
|medaltemplates-expand = yes
|medaltemplates = 
{{MedalCompetition | [[Paralympic Games]] }}
{{MedalGold | [[2004 Summer Paralympics|2004 Athens]] | [[Wheelchair tennis at the 2004 Summer Paralympics – Quad singles|Quad singles]] }}
{{MedalGold | [[2008 Summer Paralympics|2008 Beijing]] | [[Wheelchair tennis at the 2008 Summer Paralympics – Quad singles|Quad singles]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[2004 Summer Paralympics|2004 Athens]] | [[Wheelchair tennis at the 2004 Summer Paralympics – Quad doubles|Quad doubles]] }}
{{MedalSilver | [[2012 Summer Paralympics|2012 London]] | [[Wheelchair tennis at the 2012 Summer Paralympics – Quad doubles|Quad doubles]] }}
{{MedalBronze | [[2008 Summer Paralympics|2008 Beijing]] | [[Wheelchair tennis at the 2008 Summer Paralympics – Quad doubles|Quad doubles]] }}
}}

'''Peter Robert Norfolk''' [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] (born 13 December 1960) is a British [[wheelchair tennis]] player. Following a motorbike accident which left him [[paraplegic]], he uses a wheelchair. He took up tennis and following a further spinal complication in 2000, he began competing in the quad division. He is nicknamed '''The Quadfather'''.

He has multiple Grand Slam and Super Series titles, and competed for Great Britain at the [[Summer Paralympics]] when tennis made its first appearance at [[2004 Summer Paralympics|Athens 2004]]. He won the gold medal in the singles, and defended it at [[2008 Summer Paralympics|Beijing]], as well as adding a bronze medal in the doubles. He competed in his third Paralympics in [[2012 Summer Paralympics|2012]] in London, where he was also the flagbearer for Great Britain at the [[2012 Summer Paralympics opening ceremony|opening ceremony]]. Norfolk announced his retirement in January 2013.

==Early life==
Norfolk was born in London on 13 December 1960.<ref name=telegraphbio>{{cite news |title=Peter Norfolk |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/paralympics-gb/8725572/Peter-Norfolk-Paralympics-GB-London-2012-Olympics.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810083729/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/paralympics-gb/8725572/Peter-Norfolk-Paralympics-GB-London-2012-Olympics.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 August 2012 |access-date=7 August 2012 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref><ref name=tennisfoundation/> Norfolk became a [[paraplegic]] after motorbike accident in 1979 at the age of 19.<ref name=bbcsportbio2008>{{cite news |title=Paralympic challengers: Peter Norfolk |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/7589590.stm |access-date=7 August 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 September 2008}}</ref> He was hospitalised for over a year, and the disability resulted in him requiring a wheelchair.<ref name=telegraphbio/> There was a further complication in 2000,<ref name=telegraphbio/> damage was caused to [[cervical spinal nerve 7]] resulted in Norfolk additionally losing strength in his right arm and shoulder.<ref name=tennisfoundation>{{cite web |title=Peter Norfolk |url=http://www.tennisfoundation.org.uk/disabilitytennis/Wheelchair-Tennis/Wheelchair-Performance/Peter-Norfolk/ |publisher=The Tennis Foundation |access-date=7 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123070323/http://www.tennisfoundation.org.uk/disabilitytennis/Wheelchair-Tennis/Wheelchair-Performance/Peter-Norfolk/ |archive-date=23 November 2010}}</ref>

==Tennis career==
Norfolk became a [[wheelchair tennis]] player at the age of 30, having seen a demonstration at [[Stoke Mandeville]].<ref name=tennisfoundation/> He competes in the quad division. This means he competes against other players with a disability in at least three limbs. He plays with a tennis racket taped to his hand,<ref name=bbcsportbio2008/> and competes in the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour.<ref name=sporteng>{{cite web |title=Peter Norfolk |url=http://www.thegamesandbeyond.com/PlayerDetails.aspx/567/Peter-Norfolk |publisher=Sport England |access-date=7 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830230757/http://www.thegamesandbeyond.com/PlayerDetails.aspx/567/Peter-Norfolk |archive-date=30 August 2012}}</ref>

He was the first person to win a Paralympic medal for Britain in tennis when he took gold in the quads singles at the [[2004 Summer Paralympics]] in Athens, defeating [[David Wagner (tennis)|David Wagner]] of the United States.<ref name=bbcsportbio2008/> It had been the first occasion where a tennis event had been included in a Paralympic programme.<ref name=telegraphbio/> He also won a silver medal with [[Mark Eccleston]] in the quad doubles event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter Norfolk |url=http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/athletes/famous-olympians/athlete=peter-norfolk/ |publisher=London 2012 |access-date=7 August 2012 |archive-date=6 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806110411/http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/athletes/famous-olympians/athlete=peter-norfolk/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Following his victories, in 2005 he was invited to perform the [[coin toss]] ahead of the [[2005 Wimbledon Championships – Men's singles|men's singles final at Wimbledon]].<ref name=bbcsportbio2008/>

He represented [[Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Paralympics|Great Britain]] again at the [[2008 Summer Paralympics]] in Beijing, winning gold in the singles event<ref>{{cite web |title=Wheelchair Tennis Day 7 Review: Defending champions prevail |date=14 September 2008 |publisher=The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad |url=http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/wheelchairtennis/n214603048.shtml |access-date=26 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923021103/http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/wheelchairtennis/n214603048.shtml |archive-date=23 September 2008}}</ref> and bronze in doubles with [[Jamie Burdekin]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wheelchair Tennis Day 6 Review: Second Quad Doubles event in Paralympic history draws to a close |date=14 September 2008 |publisher=The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad |url=http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/wheelchairtennis/n214602073.shtml |access-date=26 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923021058/http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/wheelchairtennis/n214602073.shtml |archive-date=23 September 2008}}</ref> He sees the defeat in the semi-final as the biggest disappointment in his tennis career.<ref name=telegraphbio/>

In the 2010 season, he missed out on finishing overall as world number one by eight ranking points, despite winning the end of season Wheelchair Masters tournament. He beat Wagner 6–3, 7–6 (7–4), but his opponent ended the season one place above him in the rankings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Norfolk wins Wheelchair Masters, Vergeer reaches 400 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/9213076.stm |access-date=7 August 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 November 2010}}</ref> Wagner beat him at the [[2011 Australian Open – Wheelchair quad singles|2011 Australian Open]], marking the first occasion Norfolk had been defeated in an Australian Open final, having previously defeated Wagner in on four occasions in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2010.<ref name=aust2011>{{cite news |title=Britain's Peter Norfolk beaten in Australian Open final |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/9380804.stm |access-date=7 August 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 January 2011}}</ref> It did however mark the first occasion that Norfolk had won a doubles tournament in Australia, partnered with [[Andrew Lapthorne]].<ref name=aust2011/>

He regained the Australian Open title in 2012, beating Wagner in the final and becoming world number one once more. It marked his fifth victory at the grand slam tournament. He was also victorious once more in the doubles, teaming with Lapthorne again to defeat Wagner and his partner [[Noam Gershony]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Australian Open: Peter Norfolk wins quad singles title |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/16771997 |access-date=7 August 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 January 2012}}</ref>

He carried the torch in Liverpool during the [[2012 Summer Olympics torch relay]]. He was the winner of both the singles and the doubles events in the pre-Paralympic test event at [[Eton Manor]] in May 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hudson |first=Elizabeth |title=Peter Norfolk and Esther Vergeer win in Eton Manor test event |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/17973516 |access-date=7 August 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2012}}</ref> On 19 June 2012 was named once more to the [[Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Paralympics|British squad]] for the Paralympics, to compete at [[2012 Summer Paralympics|London 2012]]. He is one of three men's quad division tennis players, alongside Burdekin and Lapthorne.<ref>{{cite news |last=Davies |first=Gareth A |title=London 2012 Paralympics: 'Quadfather' Peter Norfolk heads ParalympicsGB wheelchair tennis team |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9341635/London-2012-Paralympics-Quadfather-Peter-Norfolk-heads-ParalympicsGB-wheelchair-tennis-team.html |access-date=7 August 2012 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=19 June 2012}}</ref> He admitted that the Games placed a great deal of pressure on his performance saying, "This year is about the Paralympics and everyone is expecting me to win, so it will be my year to see where I'm at."<ref>{{cite news |title=Paralympian Peter Norfolk feels London 2012 pressure |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/9432428.stm |access-date=7 August 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 March 2011}}</ref> In the event, he did not win a medal in the singles, losing his quarter-final match to [[Shraga Weinberg]], but won silver in the doubles, again partnered with Andrew Lapthorne.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

Norfolk has multiple Super Series titles.<ref name=bbcsportbio2008/> He has finished the year as world number one on five occasions, and won the Team World Cup three times.<ref name=sporteng /> He has a rivalry with Wagner, with the two swapping the number one and number two ranked positions in the quad division on a regular basis.<ref name=telegraphbio/> Norfolk was awarded the Carl Aarvold Award for International Achievement by the [[Lawn Tennis Association]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter Norfolk presented with Carl Aarvold Award for International Achievement |url=http://www.lta.org.uk/News/2012/July/2012-07-09/Peter-Norfolk-presented-with-Carl-Aarvold-Award-for-International-Achievement/ |access-date=7 August 2012 |publisher=Lawn Tennis Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810022703/http://www.lta.org.uk/News/2012/July/2012-07-09/Peter-Norfolk-presented-with-Carl-Aarvold-Award-for-International-Achievement/ |archive-date=10 August 2012}}</ref> Norfolk was voted to carry the British flag at the [[2012 Summer Paralympics opening ceremony|opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games in London]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Paralympics 2012: Peter Norfolk to carry GB flag at opening ceremony |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/19373298 |access-date=30 August 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 August 2012}}</ref> Norfolk announced his retirement in January 2013.<ref name="History maker">{{cite web |title=History Makers: Peter Norfolk |url=https://www.lta.org.uk/news/history-makers-peter-norfolk/ |website=Lawn Tennis Association |access-date=16 June 2023 |date=24 August 2021}}</ref> He was part of Channel Four's commentary team for the Tokyo Paralympics that were held in 2021.<ref name="History maker"/>

==Personal life==
In 1989, Peter founded a company called Equipment for the Physically Challenged, which specialises in mobility equipment for physically disabled people. He is married to a sports physiotherapist named Linda, and has two children. He was named a [[Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) in [[2005 Birthday Honours|2005]], and an [[Officer of the British Empire]] (OBE) in [[2009 Birthday Honours|2009]], in both cases for services to disabled sport.<ref>{{cite web |title=2005 Birthday Honours |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/57665/supplement/19 |website=[[The London Gazette]]}}</ref><ref name=GBR>{{London Gazette |issue=59090 |date=12 June 2009 |pages=12 |supp=1}}</ref><ref name=tennisfoundation/> He uses tennis rackets from [[Prince Sports]], and his sports wheelchair is by Quickie Matchpoint.<ref name=tennisfoundation/>

== Grand Slam titles ==
;Singles
* [[2007 US Open (tennis)|2007 US Open]]
* [[2008 Australian Open – Wheelchair quad singles|2008 Australian Open]]
* [[2009 Australian Open – Wheelchair quad singles|2009 Australian Open]]
* [[2010 Australian Open – Wheelchair quad singles|2010 Australian Open]]
* [[2012 Australian Open – Wheelchair quad singles|2012 Australian Open]]

;Doubles
* [[2011 Australian Open – Wheelchair quad doubles|2011 Australian Open]]
* [[2012 Australian Open – Wheelchair quad doubles|2012 Australian Open]]

== References ==
;General
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite web |title=Peter Norfolk OBE |url=http://www.paralympics.org.uk/gb/athletes/peter-norfolk-obe |publisher=Paralympics UK |access-date=7 August 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224021518/http://www.paralympics.org.uk/gb/athletes/peter-norfolk-obe |archive-date=24 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite web |title=Peter Norfolk |url=http://www.itftennis.com/wheelchair/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=50000198 |publisher=ITF Tennis |access-date=7 August 2012}}
{{refend}}

;Specific
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Peter Norfolk}}
* {{ITF profile|peter-norfolk/800183383/gbr}}
* {{IPC profile|peter-norfolk}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090809200615/http://www.quadfather.co.uk/ 'The Quadfather']}} Peter Norfolk's Official Website 
* {{Twitter}}
* [http://www.epc-wheelchairs.co.uk/ EPC Wheelchairs] Peter Norfolk's UK-Based Wheelchair company

{{S-start}}
{{Succession box
| title = Year End Number 1 – Quad Singles
| before = First Award<br>David Wagner<br>David Wagner
| after = [[David Wagner (tennis)|David Wagner]]<br>David Wagner<br>David Wagner
| years = 2003–2004<br>2006<br>2008–2009
}}
{{S-end}}

{{navboxes top|title=Peter Norfolk in the [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam tournaments]]}}
{{Australian Open Wheelchair tennis quad singles champions}}
{{US Open Wheelchair tennis quad singles champions}}
{{Australian Open Wheelchair tennis quad doubles champions}}
{{navboxes bottom}}
{{Wheelchair Tennis Masters Quad Singles}}
{{Wheelchair Tennis Masters Quad Doubles}}
{{Footer Paralympic Champions Wheelchair tennis Quad Singles}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Norfolk, Peter}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British male tennis players]]
[[Category:British wheelchair tennis players]]
[[Category:Paralympic wheelchair tennis players for Great Britain]]
[[Category:Paralympic medalists in wheelchair tennis]]
[[Category:Paralympic gold medalists for Great Britain]]
[[Category:Paralympic silver medalists for Great Britain]]
[[Category:Paralympic bronze medalists for Great Britain]]
[[Category:Wheelchair tennis players at the 2004 Summer Paralympics]]
[[Category:Wheelchair tennis players at the 2008 Summer Paralympics]]
[[Category:Wheelchair tennis players at the 2012 Summer Paralympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2004 Summer Paralympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Paralympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Paralympics]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Tennis players from London]]
[[Category:ITF number 1 ranked wheelchair tennis players]]
[[Category:English male tennis players]]
[[Category:Survivors of road incidents]]
[[Category:People with paraplegia]]
[[Category:21st-century English sportsmen]]