Anderson Parker is set to make his Paralympic debut just three years after a return to competitive wheelchair tennis.
Andy first picked up a racquet with coach John Christopher on the Nelson Park courts right here in Forbes as a primary school student - now he's been named in Australia's three-man team for the Paris Games.
The son of John Parker and Nicole Jelbart, he's set to contest the men's open classification singles and team up with six-time Paralympian Ben Weekes in the doubles.
"It's been a long journey since living in Forbes when I was a kid," he said this week - and his story is one that shows his persistence and passion for his sport.
It all began with a visiting wheelchair sports roadshow, with wheelchair basketball demonstrations at Red Bend Catholic College.
But it was tennis where Andy found his real passion lay, and he trained here with John Christopher before the family moved to Sydney.
He rose through the junior ranks to sixth in the world - but unfortunately missed his junior masters opportunity due to injury.
Then a change in classification saw Andy ineligible to compete in wheelchair tennis for eight years.
When he learned the eligibility rules had changed against in 2022, he didn't think twice about mounting a return to competitive tennis and the ITF World Tennis Tour.
Andy had remained competitive in wheelchair basketball, so he began reaching out to the tennis community and after a few months reconnected with Ben Weekes - one of the players he'd looked up to as a junior.
"It was a bit nervewracking hitting with him after many years," Andy said.
"But he didn't mind and hitting up against someone at his level just gave me the skills to push against and force me to get better which was great."
And he has, returning to the professional circuit in 2023 and then in November winning the Australian Wheelchair Tennis National Championships in Melbourne.
Andy faced Weekes in the final, which he pushed out to three sets and won. While he described the win as pretty unexpected, and Weekes was back in the winner's circle the next time they met, it marked a milestone.
"It all clicked on that day," Andy said.
The two will team up in the doubles in Paris, and Andy believes theirs is a solid partnership.
"I think we compliment each other very well - it's a good match up," he said.
"He's better at his aggression through the court, taking those short ball opportunities, he's very skilled with drop shots and everything.
"I'm quite fast - getting to those deeper balls when they hit over him."
The two contested the Australian Open together earlier this year, but were unfortunate to meet the top-seeded Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid early in their campaign.
Or you could see it as fortunate - Andy rates that as incredibly valuable experience.
"Prior to January I didn't really think I had the skills, didn't have the results against those top players," Andy said.
"Getting the opportunity to go to the Australian Open has given me the extra fire to go to the Paralympics."
Andy's thrilled to be making his Paralympic debut and to have mentors in six-time Paralympian Weekes as well as three-time Paralympian Heath Davidson.
Davidson won the gold medal in the quad doubles with Alcott at Rio 2016 and silver in the same event at Tokyo 2020.
Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin welcomed the three players to the Australian Paralympic Team.
"Wheelchair tennis has produced some of Australia's greatest Paralympic moments since it was introduced as a medal sport at the Barcelona Games in 1992," McLoughlin said.
"From David Hall's incredible gold medal at Sydney 2000 to Danni di Toro's amazing career and Dylan Alcott's successful gold medal defense at Tokyo 2020, Australia has a proud history in Paralympic wheelchair tennis.
"Our three players for Paris have their chance now to add to that story and I know they will give everything they have to represent Australia to the best of their abilities at the famous Stade Roland-Garros."
Andy can't wait to take the court with his parents, siblings and grandparents among those in the stands to cheer him on.