Wheelchair Tennis
Wheelchair tennis is a version of lawn tennis which was developed to be played by those who have lower body disabilities. The sport came to life in 1976 and was first adapted by France. It is currently practiced in several countries around the world.
Wheelchair tennis is played on the same courts that are used for playing lawn tennis. The rackets and balls used are also exactly the same. The only difference is that, athletes move around the court on specially designed wheelchairs.
The game play consistsing of serves and returns, and the scoring, are exactly the same as regular tennis. The only major difference is, it is legal for the ball to bounce twice before it is returned. The second bounce is accepted as valid even if it happens outside the court as long as the first bounce happens in the fair territory.
Wheelchair tennis player at the 2016 Invictus GamesLike regular tennis, there are two separate categories for men and women. There is also a third category known as Quad, where rackets can be taped to players hands and are allowed to use wheelchairs that are electric powered.
Wheelchair tennis is played during all the four Grand Slams. It is also contested during the Summer Paralympic Games.
Similar Sports
- Tennis — a court sport where players use a stringed racket to hit a ball to each other over a net.
- Wheelchair Racing — a type of racing in which athletes with physical disabilities compete with the help of a wheelchair.
Related Pages
- Wheelchair tennis at the Paralympic Games
- Paralympic Games
- Sports for the Disabled
- List of Racket Sports
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports
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