Scheffers was voted male player of the year while Homan picked up the female player award in a ceremony that saw both crowned winners for the very first time.

The players awards are presented once a year to a male and a female player on the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour.

The award acknowledges fair play, sportsmanship on and off court behavior, the ability to make international friendships, support other players and contribution towards the development of the Paralympic sport on a national and international level.

Scheffers took the award recording 59 per cent of the votes cast on the ITF wheelchair tennis website.

He finished well ahead of 2008 male player of the year Stefan Olsson, from Sweden, and Stephane Houdet, from France.

The award is the latest in a long line of distinctions for Scheffers as the Dutch athlete ended a phenomenal 2009 season with a career high ranking of number three and his first NEC Singles Masters title.

Homan (pictured) recorded 44 per cent of the votes cast for female player of the year finishing ahead of Dutch compatriot Esther Vergeer and Daniela di Toro from Australia.

Both Vergeer and Toro are former winners of the award and were tied for second behind Homan.

Like her male counterpart Scheffers, Homan had a tremendous season in 2009 in which she won two NEC Tour titles.

Her only losses in singles competition during the year were against number one ranked Vergeer but Homan also partnered Vergeer to win all four women’s doubles titles at the Grand Slams.

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