Wheelchair tennis has a fascinating history at the Paralympics. It was first introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, featuring men’s and women’s singles events. By the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics, it had become an official medal-awarding sport and has been a part of every Summer Paralympic since then.
History of wheelchair tennis
The sport was founded in 1976 by Brad Parks, a former US freestyle skier who began playing tennis from his wheelchair during rehabilitation. Wheelchair tennis follows the same rules as able-bodied tennis, with the key difference being the “two-bounce rule,” allowing the ball to bounce twice before being returned.
Wheelchair tennis in Paralympics
The Netherlands has been particularly dominant in this sport, with athletes like Esther Vergeer and Shingo Kunieda achieving remarkable success. The sport continues to grow, with events for men, women, and quads (players with impairments in at least three limbs) at the Paralympics.
At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, there will be 96 athletes from around the world competing in six medal events at the iconic Roland-Garros Stadium.
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