Ron Rosas, a 55-year-old amateur from Dallas, is planning a return to competitive tennis after losing all four limbs in a 2023 medical emergency. The former Notre Dame star aims to compete in the quad wheelchair division at this year's US Open. Despite recent setbacks, Rosas expresses unwavering passion for the sport.
Ron Rosas's journey back to tennis began with tragedy in 2023, when a severe case of pneumonia caused an infection that necessitated the amputation of all four limbs to save his life. In an interview with CBS News Texas, Rosas recalled the profound emotional impact: “The shock and grief that you feel when you’re told you’re going to lose your limbs is something that I hope nobody ever has to experience.” He initially feared his tennis career was over, especially after local surgeons warned he might lose his right elbow joint, which would prevent him from swinging a racquet.
Before the incident, Rosas had a distinguished background in the sport. A star player at Notre Dame, he led his college team to the NCAA finals and later became a familiar figure on Dallas courts, teaching tennis to his children and emphasizing its values. “I play tennis because I love it,” he said. “I mean, it’s, to me, about three characteristics that are really important to leadership, character, discipline, you know, I’ve taught my kids tennis.”
Determined to continue, Rosas advocated for preserving his right elbow, a decision that restored hope. Equipped with prosthetics and a customized racquet, he returned to the court in November 2025. “So the first return was really something magical,” he described. “I mean, it was kind of like I’d been doing it all my life, which technically I had, it was just a different, different way of doing it.”
The path has not been easy. After hitting the ball five or six times, Rosas suffered a fall that fractured his hip, sidelining him for five weeks. Yet, he remains optimistic: “And so now I’m back, five weeks later, still the same joy.” Supported by coaches, family, friends, and professionals like John Isner and Frances Tiafoe, Rosas is relearning the game with each practice.
His ultimate goal is to enter the 2026 US Open in the quad wheelchair division and participate in additional tournaments. “I’m going to find a way,” he affirmed. Reflecting on his resilience, Rosas shared, “Being able to recently return to the tennis court has been a joy that I never thought I’d have.” He lives by the mantra: “I have a lot of life to live, and I want to live it all. So, you either move forward or you choose not to, and I’ve chosen to move forward.”
This story unfolds against the backdrop of the recent Dallas Open, where Ben Shelton claimed victory, highlighting American tennis achievements.