Rory Wren’s Remarkable Journey in Tennis

Rory Wren of Tupelo knows all about overcoming challenges—she’s been doing it her whole life. Born without the part of her arm below the left elbow, Rory has a usable elbow joint but no forearm or hand. Yet, this hasn’t stopped her from excelling in multiple activities, including competitive soccer and tennis.

“We found out at 20 weeks during the pregnancy by ultrasound that Rory would be missing part of her arm due to amniotic band syndrome,” said Rory’s mother, Kristi Wren.

Tennis has always been a part of the Wren family. Kristi played tennis in high school and took up the sport again when the family moved to Tupelo, using it as a way to meet new people. Kristi soon enrolled Rory’s older brother and sister in tennis programs, and the sport quickly became a family staple. Naturally, after watching her siblings on the court, Rory wanted to play too.

“I started to play tennis because my older siblings were always playing,” Rory explained. “I also had lots of friends playing, and I enjoyed being around them and socializing. I especially like being with my friends at practice, staying in hotels during tournaments, and eating out with the team.”

Rory has tried other sports, but tennis holds a special place in her heart. Unlike soccer, where teamwork is key, tennis allows Rory’s individual skill to shine. It’s a sport where her performance takes center stage, and victories are the result of her efforts alone. Though Rory sometimes feels apprehensive when meeting new people due to her disability, she’s always confident in her ability to adapt and succeed—like with her serve.

“Although Rory can’t toss the ball exactly like everyone else, she’s created her own technique that helps her serve just as well as the other players on the team,” said Kristi. “On the team, Rory feels just as welcome and capable as all of her friends.”

Rory’s coach, Omar Alcaino, is equally proud of her resilience and the player she’s become. Alcaino, who coaches a competitive group of young players, counts Rory among the top in her age group.

“We’ve been around her so long now, we don’t even think about her arm—it’s not an issue,” Alcaino said. “Her friends see her just the same as anyone else, and Rory loves being out there playing.”

Rory Wren’s story is a powerful reminder that challenges can be overcome with determination and creativity. Her journey in tennis is a testament to her strength, both on and off the court.