Para-tennis is a sport discipline which was created in the 1980’s. It is a ball sport practiced by numerous sportspeople suffering from a disability in more than 45 countries. Although at first it was a demonstration sport within the paralympic games, it was officially introduced in the 1992 Barcelona paralympic games. What are the rules of this sport and what is the necessary equipment to play it? Here is an overview of wheelchair tennis.
Who is wheelchair tennis for?
Anyone suffering from a disability can practice wheelchair tennis as leisure practice or in competitions. There are numerous clubs in France to practice wheelchair tennis. They are all affiliated to the French tennis federation. You can find all the clubs with the French wheelchair tennis map.
Leisure and competitive para-tennis
The practice of this sport is open to any person with a motor or hearing disability.
In wheelchair tennis competitions, there are 3 categories. People can have:
- movement or coordination problems;
- a deafness level below 55dB over 3 frequences;
- other functional problems.
Big names to follow in para-tennis
There are numerous French wheelchair tennis champions:
- Stéphane Houdet
- Nicolas Peifer
- Mickaël Jeremiasz
- etc.
There exist a lot of competitive ways to play from the regional tournaments to paralympic games either in the simple or the double format.
What are the rules of wheelchair tennis?
If some rules are different from more traditional tennis, the tennis court has the same dimensions in both versions of the sport.
Rules for people suffering from a motor disability
Wheelchair tennis rules are the same as in classical tennis with some differences. When the game opposes two people suffering from a motor disability, the person throwing the ball can make it bounce twice. Moreover, the second bounce can be outside the court.
According to the rules, when the ball bounces for the third time there is a foul if it:
- hits the net
- goes out of the court
Finally, if the ball touches an opponent, the player who threw it loses the point. Note that the wheelchair is considered an integral part of the athlete. Therefore, the ball cannot touch them.
Rules for deaf people
Completely or partially deaf people play tennis with the same rules as people who can hear fully. Players cannot play with hearing aids to guarantee equality. The referee uses sign language to declare fouls or to show which player serves.
What equipment is required to play wheelchair tennis?
To play wheelchair tennis, you need a multisport wheelchair. Of course, all wheelchairs are adapted to the leisurely practice of wheelchair tennis. However, the fluidity of the player’s movement on the wheelchair is an important factor to have the adequate mobility no matter the player’s disability. At PlayMoovin’, we have created a sport wheelchair ideal for the practice of tennis: the FreeMoovin’. It is made of plastic; it ensures the easiness of movement to throw and catch the ball for people of all ages. Its anti-swing system allows to prevent a potential fall. Moreover, it is equipped with holding straps and knee clips that are required to guarantee the player’s safety.
A ball sport that conveys awareness of disabilities
In our society, disabilities way too often remain the source of discriminations and sport practice is an excellent way to demystify the concept of disabilities. Indeed, it allows able-bodied to experience what a disabled person experiences in the span of a tennis set or in the framework of another sport. It is at least our vision at PlayMoovin’.
The FreeMoovin’ takes part in the meetings of classes from all age groups, of sport associations or of companies with one objective in mind: change how people view disabilities.
At Rolland Garros, we have had the occasion to put our wheelchairs on the clay courts in the framework of the “Tous en fauteuil” day organised by the FFT (French Tennis Federation). Both disabled and able-bodied players tested its capabilities.
Wheelchair tennis will keep on drawing people in. The FreeMoovin’ is the ultra-light and safe wheelchair with which all the sets are won! If you want to test it or organise an awareness session of wheelchair tennis, we are renting sport wheelchairs so call us!
