Wheelchair tennis

Scope and bounces

Wheelchair tennis follows the ITF Rules of Tennis except for the changes described here. A wheelchair player may allow the ball to bounce 2 times and must return it before the 3rd bounce. The 2nd bounce may be inside or outside the court.

The wheelchair counts as part of the player’s body, so rules applying to the body also apply to the chair.

Serving

Immediately before starting the service, the server must be stationary. The server may then make 1 push before striking the ball. Throughout the service, every wheel must remain within the area behind the baseline between the imaginary extensions of the centre mark and the relevant sideline.

If conventional serving is physically impossible for a quad player, the player or another person may drop the ball and let it bounce before the player strikes it. Once this method is used, the same method must be used throughout the match.

Losing a point

• The player loses the point if the ball is not returned before its 3rd bounce.
• Except for the authorised foot-propulsion exception below, the player loses the point if any part of the feet or lower limbs is used against the ground or a wheel while serving, striking the ball, turning or stopping while the ball is in play.
• At least 1 buttock must remain in contact with the wheelchair seat when the player contacts the ball; otherwise the point is lost.

Wheelchair construction and operation

The chair may use any material, provided it is non-reflective and does not hinder the opponent. During normal play, the wheels must not leave permanent marks or otherwise damage the court.

The seat height, including its cushion, must be fixed. The player’s buttocks must remain in contact with the seat during a point. Straps may be used to secure the player.

• Each wheel may have only 1 pushrim. Changes that give a mechanical advantage, such as levers or gears, are prohibited.
• Except for an authorised powered wheelchair, propulsion must use only the wheels, including their pushrims. Steering, braking, gearing and other devices that assist operation, including energy-storage systems, are prohibited.

Powered chairs and medical modifications

Players who satisfy Article 10 of the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Classification Rules may use an electrically powered wheelchair. Its maximum speed must not exceed 15 km/h in any direction, and only the player may control it. The supplied rules refer to separate classification rules and do not set out those eligibility criteria.

A modification for a legitimate medical reason requires an application to the ITF Sport Science & Medicine Commission at least 60 days before its intended use in an ITF-sanctioned event. Rejection may be appealed under Chapter III of the separate ITF Wheelchair Tennis Regulations; that chapter’s procedure is not reproduced in the supplied rules.

The foot-propulsion exception

A player who lacks the capacity to propel the chair through a wheel may use 1 foot for propulsion. This permission does not remove the restrictions during a stroke or service: breaching either restriction below loses the point.

• No part of the foot may touch the ground during the forward motion of the swing, including the instant when the racket hits the ball.
• No part of the foot may touch the ground from the start of the service motion until the racket hits the ball.

Mixed wheelchair and standing play

In singles or doubles involving a wheelchair player and an able-bodied player, each follows the rules applicable to them. The wheelchair player is allowed 2 bounces; the able-bodied player is allowed only 1.

For these rules, the lower extremities include the buttocks, hips, thighs, legs, ankles and feet.