Wheelchair Tennis
One of the fastest growing wheelchair sports is tennis. Wheelchair tennis is played in over 70 countries around the world and the interest in the sport is only growing. In 1976, an American by the name of Brad Parks discovered that you could still hit a ball over the net, even while in a wheelchair. Wheelchair tennis was introduced to the Paralympic Games in 1988; however it didn't become an official competitive sport until the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Wheelchair tennis is played year-round using indoor courts during the winter and outdoor courts during the summer. The rules and regulations of wheelchair tennis are the same as those of professional tennis. No modifications need to be made to the court dimensions or the height of the net. The only changes are that in wheelchair tennis, the ball is allowed to bounce twice.
No special equipment is needed to play the game. Your standard tennis ball and tennis racquet is all that's required. Some wheelchair sports can become a little pricey if special equipment is needed; which is the reason why wheelchair tennis appeals to so many people. If you have a racquet and a ball, you are set to take on the competition.
Everyday wheelchairs can be used to play wheelchair tennis. However, sport wheelchairs are widely used in a variety of sports, and tennis is no exception. In fact, sport wheelchairs are designed specifically for tennis. A specialized tennis chair responds to your every move, giving you more mobility, stability and speed. The right chair can help you dominate the game.
Tennis, as with most wheelchair sports - anyone can participate. Friends and family can take part in the sport if they have use of a wheelchair. However, they won't be eligible to take home the gold medal at the championships. Only those medically diagnosed with a permanent mobility challenge can compete at an international level in wheelchair tennis.
