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Sports & Leisure

UCP’s Sports and Leisure Channel is designed for people with disabilities who are interested in sports and other leisure activities and proposes creative ideas for inclusive community recreation programs, including outdoor adventure activities for people with disabilities.

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Sports & Leisure

Recreation & Leisure

Tennis

Wheelchair user serving a tennis ball.Tennis is a competitive and recreational activity in which opponents hit a tennis ball back and forth over a net and attempt to outplay their opponent by placing the ball in strategic areas of the court. Tennis is an activity that has become more popular recently for individuals with disabilities. There are two versions of tennis within disability sport - ambulatory tennis and wheelchair tennis. Tennis is played in singles (1-on-1) or doubles (2-on-2). The United States Tennis Association (USTA) governs wheelchair tennis while Special Olympics International (SOI) and the USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) offer tennis as an official sport.

BENEFITS OF PLAYING TENNIS
Tennis is a cross-disability activity. Tennis is a low-cost activity and does not require a lot of equipment while courts are abundant. Tennis is a very social activity and can be played in teams, with families, and friends. Tennis can be played indoors or outdoors. Arm and leg prosthetics are available for individuals who are amputees. Arm prosthetics can be adapted in order to grasp a tennis racquet.

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
Quadtennis player returning the ball.There are several rule modifications in wheelchair tennis. The most significant rule change is the “two bounce rule." This means that the wheelchair tennis player is allowed two bounces before the ball needs to be returned across court. The first bounce must be in bounds and the second bounce may be out of bounds. When a wheelchair tennis player plays an able-bodied player, the wheelchair player is allowed two bounces while the able-bodied player is allowed only one bounce. In competitive wheelchair events, divisions are available for individuals based upon gender, skill level, disability, and age. The divisions include:

  • Men's Open, A, B, and C skill levels
  • Women's Open, A, B, and C skill levels
  • Quad Open, A, and B skill levels
  • Juniors (18 and under), and
  • Senior Doubles (40 and over)

GRIP DEVICES
Grip devices are designed specifically for players that do not have the grip strength to hold a racquet. Athletic tape and an Ace bandage wrap are two simple solutions to maintain a proper grip. Orthopedic racquet holders and "grasping gloves" are available if more support is required.

SPECIAL OLYMPIC TENNIS
Quadtennis player returning the ball. Special Olympics International (SOI) has offered tennis as a demonstration sport since 1983. USTA is the national governing body of SOI tennis.

Several events are offered at SOI competitions: singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and individual skills (racket bounce, "ups", forehand volley, backhand volley, forehand groundstroke, backhand groundstroke, serve-deuce court, serve-advantage court, and alternating groundstrokes with movement). Target stroke, target bounce, racket bounce and return shot are for athletes with lower ability levels.

For more information, contact Special Olympics International (SOI).

BOOKS AND VIDEOS (available from USTA)
Books Tennis in a Wheelchair Wheelchair Tennis: Myth to Reality

Videos Tennis in a Wheelchair Advanced Wheelchair Tennis Wheelchair Tennis for Quads

EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS
Tennis Wheelchairs Invacare-Top End (800) 333-6900

Quickie Designs (800) 333-4000

Eagle Sportchairs (800) 932-9380

Colours by Permobil (800) 892-8998

Grasping Gloves Access to Recreation (800) 634-4351

For a complete list of information related to tennis, refer to keywords: tennis, wheelchairs, and grip devices.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
(books, videos, etc.)

US Professional Tennis Registry (800) 421-6289

International Tennis Federation 011-44-208-878-6464

Tennis Internet (760) 966-0989

USTA (914) 696-7280

USADSF (801) 393-7916 (TTY)

Special Olympics (202) 628-3630

More information on this and related topics may be available in the NCPAD Citation Database. Try searching with keywords: tennis, etc.

NOTE
The information provided here is offered as a service only. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, University of Illinois at Chicago, the National Center on Accessibility, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago do not formally recommend or endorse the equipment listed. As with any products or services, consumers should investigate and determine on their own which equipment best fits their needs and budget.

Source NCPAD