“Former British wheelchair tennis champion Louise Hunt Skelley PLY has released her debut book, What’s Wrong With You?.” Unapologetically & Unstoppable. In this powerful and inspiring memoir, Louise shares her journey from childhood to becoming one of the world’s top wheelchair tennis players.
Early Life and Realising Her Potential
Louise, who resides in Wiltshire, spent months crafting her story to offer readers an honest and raw account of her life. Born in Wanborough, near Swindon, she was raised in a family that always accepted and celebrated her vibrant personality and determination. Despite facing the challenges of living with spina bifida, Louise never saw herself as disabled. It wasn’t until secondary school that she even encountered the term ‘disabled,’ a word she had never heard before.
Defying Society’s Expectations
Realising the limitations society placed on the disabled community, Louise decided early on that she would not conform to others’ expectations. She chose to embrace her differences and redefine what was possible for someone like her. Her parents, Linda and Tim, have always regarded Louise as remarkable, never viewing her disability as something to be overcome but as part of the unique person she is.
Transition to Wheelchair Tennis
In What’s Wrong With You?, Louise tells the story of how she became a successful road wheelchair racer before transitioning to wheelchair tennis, where she would eventually rank among the top 10 players in the world. The book dives into the highs and lows of her career and how she managed to overcome adversity at every turn.
A Candid Memoir
The memoir, which is unapologetically candid, also highlights the key people who supported and believed in her, from her family to her coaches. With forewords written by her husband, Chris Hunt Skelley MBE, and fellow sports commentator Gigi Salmon, the book provides an intimate look at Louise’s journey.
Book Launch at The Ridgeway Barns
The book was officially launched to friends and family at The Ridgeway Barns, near Liddington, earlier this month an area that holds special significance to Louise. It was here that she spent many of her childhood years playing with her brother and forging lasting memories.
Louise shares, “My book has been within me for many years, and it has enabled me to talk about the people who changed my life. I hope my story will now change the life of someone else. I’ve been as honest as I can be, and this book is a tribute to those who supported me. It stands as one of my greatest achievements in my career so far, and I am grateful to my publisher Asha Clearwater for her unwavering support.”
From Athlete to Author
Louise, born with spina bifida, has made a remarkable transition from world-class wheelchair tennis player to commentator, tournament director, and now, author. Having represented Great Britain at both the London and Rio Paralympics, she has become one of Wiltshire’s most accomplished athletes.
Over the course of her career, Louise competed in 13 World Team Cups, won 13 senior singles titles, and 41 senior doubles titles, with a career-high world ranking of 10. Since retiring from competitive sports in 2021, Louise has continued to make a significant impact as an inclusivity expert, consultant, professional speaker, and tennis commentator.