Wheelchair Tennis

Wheelchair Tennis had its origin in the USA in the 1970s. Previously it was The International Wheelchair Tennis Federation (IWTF) that was the governing body of the game but later, after a span of 10 years, the IWTF was included in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the IWTF therefore did not exist any more. The ITF is now accountable for all matters pertaining to Wheelchair Tennis sport and the IWTA is an advisory committee.

Wheelchair Tennis was featured as a demonstration sport in the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games and subsequently was introduced in the Paralympic Games programme that was held at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games. The sport has rapidly gained acceptance and ever since has spread to over 70 nations. It is also going to make an appearance among the events in 2008 Beijing Summer Paralympics Sports.

The game abides by the able-bodied Tennis rules and athletes must possess high levels of skill, fitness and tactic. The only distinguishing factor in the Wheelchair Tennis competitions is that the ball is permitted to bounce twice - the first bounce should be within the precincts of the playing court.

Athletes must be suffering from permanent substantial or complete loss of function in one or both legs. The events featured in the game are singles (between two players) and doubles (between two pairs). The victor of a match is the first player or pair to win two sets. There will be six events for the Wheelchair Tennis Sport in Paralympics:

• Men's singles
• Women's singles
• Men's doubles
• Women's doubles
• Quads singles
• Quads doubles

• The player is permitted two bounces of the ball. He or she must return the ball before it touches the ground for the third time.
• The wheelchair is supposed to be a part of the player's body and all the rules that are applicable to a player's body shall apply to the wheelchair as well.