Wheelchair Tennis

What does this sport involve?

Wheelchair Tennis has a large number of players worldwide with around 120 tournaments a year. At the Paralympics the Open and Quad categories are currently included. There are men’s and women’s singles and doubles events in both.

The only modification to the standard rules of tennis is that in Wheelchair Tennis the players are allowed to let the ball bounce twice before returning it.

Who can compete?

Men and Women. Players compete using a wheelchair and there are 2 classes, open and quad. Quad events are for players with some degree of impairment in 4 limbs

If you think you would like to try this sport or would like to know more?

The National body responsible for organisation of this sport is:

The Tennis Foundation – who currently have a ‘One Game All ‘ initiative which aims to make tennis more inclusive

www.tennisfoundation.org.uk  - has information about disability tennis

other useful website links and contacts:

www.tennisfoundation.org.uk/disabilitytennis/

Disability Development – contact:  paul.regan@tennisfoundation.org.uk Tel: 0845 872 0522

Lyn.parker@tennisfoundation.org.uk

 www.lta.org.uk - has information on finding a club - try

www.lta.org.uk/Search/FindAClub/

www.trymysport.co.uk/tennis.htm

It may also be useful to look at Wheelpower – the British Wheelchair Sports site  

Did you know?

GB’s Peter Norfolk won the gold medal in the Quad Tennis Singles in Athens 2004, the first time this sport was included in the Paralympics .

Would I like this sport and what are the benefits?

A sport that requires skill, focus and a high degree of fitness.  Most sports are either played individually or are team games, although there may be an element of team competition in some individual sports when individual scores of team members are totalled in team competitions. Tennis is unusual in that it can be played individually or offers the opportunity to play as a team (doubles) on court at the same time as your partner and combine skills.

 

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