Jeff Bourns is an Adapted Touring Tennis Professional credited with assisting pioneer the growth and development of Ambulatory Adaptive Tennis in the United States. Bourns holds a TOP FIVE WORLD RANK (Category A) on the TAP WORLD TOUR and currently resides in Houston, Texas.
Growing Up
Jeff Bourns was born in Parkersburg, WV in 1981. He was diagnosed at birth with a congenital birth defect to his right leg, missing his tibia bone. As a result, his leg was amputated when he was two years old. When Jeff was 7 years old his family relocated to Houston, Texas. Shortly after the move his leg was amputated once again, above the knee. A year later the family discovered Jeff had tethered spinal cord syndrome. A tumor attached to his spinal cord pulling down while he was trying to grow with age. At the time having the tumor removed was a very risky procedure to have done and Jeff was to be left with permanent neurological deficiencies as a result. The surgery was a success, however, Jeff developed spinal meningitis while recovering at his home. After fighting and surviving meningitis he led a very active life with little to no medical issues.
Learning About Adaptive Sports
Jeff was continually engaged in sports and other active outdoor activities with his brothers, friends, mother and father. He played sports, went mountain biking, climbed trees, and enjoyed being as active as possible. At the same time, Jeff grew up in an era where organized Adaptive Sports for amputees were limited and not widely known.
After graduating High School he learned about organized Adaptive Sports for the first time. While attending college he competed in the 2001 Endeavor Games where for the first time in his life he met amputee peers his age he could relate with. For him this new found fellowship was a life changing experience, inspiring Jeff years later to begin mentoring and networking amputee youth, young adults, and their families together. These life experiences have given Jeff unique and invaluable knowledge and perspectives that he uses to this day.
Professional Experience
Currently, Bourns has not only been helping pioneer the growth and development of Adaptive Tennis for Amputees in the United States, but around the world as well. He is the Director of North American development for the TAP WORLD TOUR.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) of Texas, in 2014, appointed Jeff Bourns to its Adaptive Tennis Committee. Bourns was brought aboard to help develop and service the growth of Amputee Tennis. He is the first adaptive athlete in this category with a lower extremity amputation who plays tennis standing instead of using a wheelchair to serve on the USTA Texas Tennis Committee.
In 2014, along with assistance from USTA Texas, HPARD, Scott Carr and Preston Pinto, they created and ran an amputee tennis program for the City of Houston at West Gray Multi-Service Center. This was one of the first Amputee Tennis classes taught regularly in the United States. In the state of Texas Bourns has also assisted setting up other cities with resources to create Amputee Tennis programs.
Jeff Bourns has also been hired to instruct Adaptive Adaptive Tennis clinics in other regions of the United States including a “Paralympic Experience” in Birmingham, AL and a Wounded Warriors Tennis Camp in San Diego, CA.
In the future Jeff hopes to continue his efforts in adaptive tennis for the next generation. Breaking down barriers to help them to dream BIG. Making available opportunities to others that were not available to him. Most importantly, Jeff wants to have as much time as he can raising and spending time with his son Parker!
Professional Achievements
Quarterfinalist • 2015 Inagural Santiago Master Final Santiago, Chile
Semi-Finalist • 2018 Inagural Malmo Open | Malmo, Sweden
“Sport has a unique way of bringing people together. Tennis, as in life, is a game of adjustments. We all adapt to it differently, disability or not! Tennis is for Everyone”! – Jeff Bourns
