Wheelchair Tennis

Great Britain is one of the leading nations in the world for Wheelchair Tennis, with the likes of Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid among the most notable personalities in the sport after winning 15 Grand Slam doubles titles together. In 2022 they completed a sequence of 10 consecutive Grand Slam doubles titles, making them the most successful British doubles pairing of all time across non-disabled and wheelchair tennis. 

There are over 160 tournaments as part of the global UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour, on top of a wealth of domestic competitions that cater for players from grassroots to elite level tennis. The visibility and inclusion of Wheelchair Tennis is only increasing with the first ever Junior Wheelchair Tennis event at a Grand Slam taking place at this year’s US Open. 

Wheelchair Tennis is played competitively across three divisions – men’s, women’s, and quad (quad division is for those with a disability in three or more limbs). 

The LTA deliver a variety of junior opportunities from its Wheelchair Tennis Initiative, inspiring players to pick up a racket, to supported programmes that help those showing early signs of potential. The domestic junior highlight is the School Games National Finals – where you will be watching the most promising young players battle it out for the medals.

Did You Know?

• Wheelchair tennis was introduced to the Paralympic Games as an exhibition event in Seoul, 1988, becoming an official full medal Paralympic sport at the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona.
• Wheelchair Tennis was created by American Brad Parks, after he was injured in a skiing accident in 1976.
• One of the biggest myths about wheelchair tennis is that you have to use a chair in everyday life in order to be eligible to play. In fact, the game is open to anyone with a physical disability including (but by no means limited to) spinal injuries, spina bifida, limb loss, hypermobility, and cerebral palsy.