{"id":27725,"date":"2026-04-09T15:40:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T05:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/?page_id=27725"},"modified":"2026-04-09T15:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T05:40:13","slug":"information-for-players","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/our-work\/inclusion-diversity\/wheelchair\/information-for-players","title":{"rendered":"Information for Players"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Whether you\u2019re just starting out or looking to compete, wheelchair tennis offers opportunities for players of all abilities to be active, social, and develop tennis skills in an inclusive environment.<\/p>\n<h3>Getting started<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Adapted play:<\/strong> Wheelchair tennis follows the same core rules as traditional tennis, with one key adaptation &#8211; players are allowed up to two bounces of the ball, with the second bounce permitted outside the court. Specially designed sports wheelchairs allow players to move quickly and safely on court. Coaches provide guidance on mobility, positioning, and adapted techniques to create a comfortable and engaging experience.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Programs near you:<\/strong> Local wheelchair tennis programs in NSW are delivered through clubs and community initiatives, offering weekly sessions, social play, and skill development. These programs are suitable for beginners, developing players, and those aiming to compete.<\/p>\n<p>To find a club near you, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/our-work\/inclusion-diversity\/wheelchair\/programs-partners\">click here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Classification:<\/strong> To compete in official tournaments, players are classified according to their level of physical impairment. A provisional classification helps guide coaching, competition entry, and ensures fair play. Guidance on how to get classified is available through Tennis NSW and local wheelchair tennis partners.<\/p>\n<h3>Play &amp; Participation<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Social and club tennis:<\/strong> Many players begin by joining club-based sessions or all-abilities tennis programs where you can meet others, build confidence, and practise skills in a supportive setting. Contact your local club to see what\u2019s available.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Coaching support:<\/strong> Qualified coaches experienced in wheelchair tennis can help develop technique, mobility, and tactical awareness. Coaches use adapted drills, positioning strategies, and tailored feedback to support players at every level.<\/p>\n<h3>Pathways &amp; Competition<\/h3>\n<p>Players can progress from social play to community leagues and state or national tournaments, including the NSW Wheelchair Open. For high-performance players, there are pathways to national and international competition, including ITF-sanctioned events and the Paralympic Games.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Competition classification:<\/strong> Formal classification ensures fair competition and matches players of similar functional ability. Once classified, players can enter sanctioned tournaments and compete in singles and doubles draws that suit their division (Open, Quad, or Junior).<\/p>\n<p>After gaining experience through local competition, players can progress to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>State-level tournaments \u2014 such as the NSW Wheelchair Open, attracting players from across the state.<\/li>\n<li>National events \u2014 including the Australian Wheelchair Tennis Championships, bringing together elite players from across Australia.<\/li>\n<li>International pathways \u2014 ITF Futures, World Team Cup events, and other global competitions for high-performance athletes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Event formats may be adapted for divisions, including modified rules or court setups to ensure fair, safe, and enjoyable play.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ranking &amp; goals:<\/strong> Competitive players can track their progress through national wheelchair tennis rankings, recognising results from sanctioned events over a 12-month period.<\/p>\n<h3>Support &amp; Resources<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Finding a club or program:<\/strong> Tennis NSW and local partners can help locate sessions, coaches, and upcoming events. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/players\/competitive-play\/events\/inclusion-diversity-events?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">View tournaments and events.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Classification forms &amp; guidance:<\/strong> Required for sanctioned events. Contact Tennis NSW for information on classification pathways and assessments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pathway support:<\/strong> Coaches and partner organisations can advise on skill development, competitive opportunities, and progression to higher-level tournaments. Please contact Holly Hurst &#8211; <a href=\"mailto:holly.hurst@tennis.com.au\">holly.hurst@tennis.com.au.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For guidance, contact the Tennis NSW Inclusion &amp; Diversity team at <a href=\"mailto:nswinclusion@tennis.com.au\">nswinclusion@tennis.com.au.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re just starting out or looking to compete, wheelchair tennis offers opportunities for players of all abilities to be active, social, and develop tennis skills in an inclusive environment. Getting started Adapted play: Wheelchair tennis follows the same core rules as traditional tennis, with one key adaptation &#8211; players are allowed up to two [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6451,"featured_media":0,"parent":19590,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27725","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6451"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27725"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27725\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19590"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/nsw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}