How the game is played

Learn how the sport is played through stories and highlights from players and competitions. Captions are available. For a transcript or audio description, email blindtennis@tennis.com.au.

Playing by sound and feel

Blind and low vision tennis follows the same spirit as the mainstream game, with thoughtful adaptations that keep it fair, competitive and instinctive. Players use audible balls, tactile court lines and bounce rules based on their sport classification: 

  • B1 – Up to 3 bounces (blindfold required) 
  • B2 – Up to 3 bounces 
  • B3 – Up to 2 bounces 
  • B4 – 1 bounce 

Everyone plays with the same goal: to read the court, trust their instincts and enjoy the game. Eligibility and classification information live under the Eligibility and Get started tabs.

Coaching and inclusive play

Guided court experience

  • Serve begins with “Ready?” and “Play”.
  • Time is given for orientation.
  • Coaches and umpires use verbal cues.
  • External noise is kept to a minimum.

Adapted by need, not assumption

  • Some players use guides; others rely on audio cues and spatial memory.
  • Drills and games are tailored to player comfort.
  • Success is measured in confidence and connection.

Explore how BLV tennis works

Partnerships

We’re proud to work with partners who help grow the game for people who are blind or have low vision – shaping policies, programs and opportunities that support participation at every level.

These collaborations ensure tennis is accessible not just as a sport, but as a community experience for players, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans.

Competitive pathways

Australia leads globally in blind and low vision tennis, offering structured progression and local to international opportunities: 

  • local BLV leagues, competitions and club tournaments
  • state BLV Tennis Championships
  • Australian BLV Tennis Championships
  • International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) competitions. 

Explore opportunities and track players in the Events and Rankings tabs. 

Frequently asked questions

Players use audible balls, verbal cues and tactile court lines. Bounce allowances vary by sight classification – from 1 to 3 bounces. B1 players wear blindfolds to ensure fairness.

  • B1: No functional vision (blindfold required)
  • B2–B4: Varying levels of low vision classification ensures fair play and helps tailor coaching and competition.

Yes – Australia competes at the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Blind Games and other international events. Players can progress from local programs to the world stage.

How we support players

Tennis is a game of rhythm, space and intuition – and for players who are blind or have low vision, it’s played by sound, feel and connection. This page shares how we support participation at every level, through partnerships, modified equipment and pathways that reflect different ways of seeing and playing the game.

Am I eligible?

There are four sport classes used in blind and low vision tennis:

Sport classEligibility criteriaTennis Australia events
B1Visual acuity poorer than LogMAR 2.60.
  • Community BLV Tournaments & Leagues
  • State BLV Tournaments
  • Australian BLV Championships
B2LogMAR 1.50 to 2.60 (inclusive).
  • Community BLV Tournaments & Leagues
  • State BLV Tournaments
  • Australian BLV Championships
B3LogMAR 1.0 to 1.40 (inclusive) or visual fields less than 10 degrees and visual acuity better than 0.5 (B4).
  • Community BLV Tournaments & Leagues
  • State BLV Tournaments
  • Australian BLV Championships
B4LogMAR 0.5 to 0.9 (inclusive) or visual fields less than 40 degrees and visual acuity better than 0.5.
  • Community BLV Tournaments & Leagues
  • State BLV Tournaments
  • Australian BLV Championships

Talent pathway

From local squads to the world stage – discover how BLV tennis camps and comps can lead to international selection.

Success stories

Somerton Park Tennis Club

Somerton Park Tennis Club hosts blind tennis sessions for adults and kids who are blind or have low vision. Players use audible balls, modified courts, smaller racquets and relaxed rules to focus on fun and enjoyment.

Explore this coaching feature – a world first that highlights both playing and non-playing pathways in blind and low vision tennis.

Melbourne Park

Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria and Tennis Victoria run Friday night BLV tennis sessions together, with dedicated junior and adult programs. These sessions offer a fun, welcoming space for players who are blind or have low vision to enjoy tennis in a supportive environment.

City Community Tennis (CCT)

Offers award-winning inclusive tennis programs across the Sydney Metropolitan Area. These include a dedicated BLV tennis session on Friday mornings, and a renowned All Abilities Adaptive Hub on Saturday mornings – creating space for players with disability to play, connect and socialise through tennis.

Begin your blind and low vision journey

Tennis is for everyone, and blind and low vision participants are supported through coaching and guided on-court experiences designed to build confidence and connection.

Sessions begin with clear verbal cues such as “Ready?” and “Play,” with extra time provided for orientation before each point.

Coaches and umpires keep instructions simple and descriptive, while external noise is minimised to help players track the game safely and comfortably

Every session is adapted by need, not assumption. Some players choose to use guides on court, while others rely on audio cues, tactile markers or their own spatial memory.

Drills and games are tailored to each player’s comfort level and playing style, with progress measured not just by technical skill, but by growing independence, confidence and joy in the game.

Coaching and support

We’re here to help you get started – whether you're a player, coach or club.

Club coaches

StateVenueLocationCoachContact
ACTTennis World3 Riggall Pl, Lyneham, 2602Gonzalo Lopez1300 836 647
NSWCity Community TennisPrince Alfred Park Tennis Courts, Cleveland Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010Sean Tsai0433 899 644
NSWGerringong Tennis ClubPacific Ave, Werri Beach NSW 2534Daniel Jones0413 225 431
NSWBlacktown Tennis CentreSentry Drive, Stanhope Gardens, NSW, 2768Elton Stoney(02) 9421 2600
NSWOld Bar Tennis Club29 Old Bar Rd, Old Bar NSW 2430Ellise Perks0411 476 063
NSWTwin Towns Tennis Club16 Capel St, Tuncurry NSW 2428Ellise Perks0411 476 063
QLDDiscovery Park Tennis ClubDiscovery Drive, Helensvale, QLD, 4212Glen Bowe0466 439 660
QLDRedland Bay Tennis Club61 Boundary Street, Redland Bay, QLD, 4165Tim Low(07) 3829 1383
QLDMalpass Tennis1 Hilton Street, East Brisbane, QLD, 4169Tyrone Smart(07) 3393 0093
QLDSunshine Tennis Club47 Glen Retreat Rd, Mitchelton, QLD 4053Jesse Parker0438 725 376
SAMount Gambier Tennis Club10 Heriot St, Mount Gambier SA 5290Andrew Vanden Hurkmtgambiertennisclub@gmail.com
SARenmark Tennis ClubParinga St, Renmark SA 5341Jon Pick0427 385 380
SASomerton Park TC28-40 Wilton Avenue, Somerton Park, 5044Migel0406 765 515
SAHope Valley Tennis ClubLeeds Ave and Valley Rd, Hope Valley, SA, 5090Josh Crowecroweyrocks@hotmail.com
VICRoyal Park Tennis Club333 The Avenue Parkville VIC 3052 info@blindsports.org.au
(03) 9822 8876
VICKeilor Tennis ClubOld Calder Hwy, Keilor VIC 3036Stefan Visserinfo@blindsports.org.au
(03) 9822 8877
VICLalor Tennis Club24 Sydney Cres, Lalor VIC 3075 info@blindsports.org.au
(03) 9822 8878
VICEast Malvern Tennis Club15 Moira St. Glen Iris Vic 3146  
VICWilliamstown Tennis ClubEsplanade &, Morris St, Williamstown VIC 3016 info@blindsports.org.au
(03) 9822 8878
VICLe Page Tennis ClubLe Page Park, Herald St, CheltenhamBrad Crosher 
VICTennis WorldOlympic Blvd, Melbourne VIC 3004 info@blindsports.org.au

VIC

Wodonga Tennis Club – Margaret Court Tennis Academy

Dalgeish Street, Wodonga, Victoria, 3690

Gary Comins

0473 847 303

WAThe Tennis ProClyde Road, Menora, WA, 6050Ian Ketteringham0432 432 097
WASouth Mandurah Tennis Club2 Merlin Street, Halls Head, 6210Bellinda Devine0438 285 293
WABunbury Tennis Club1 Rotary Avenue, Bunbury, 6230Andrew Woodward0419 913 294

National coaches

StateVenueLocationCoachContact
SATennis SA, Somerton Park Tennis ClubWar Memorial Drive, Adelaide & 28-40 Wilton Ave, Somerton ParkNicholas Bradley0403 106 907
Nicolas.Bradley@tennis.com.au

Order equipment

You can order audible tennis balls online from our suppliers across Australia.

Bulk discounts may be available for clubs, coaches and organisations. For current pricing or to place a bulk order, email visionstore@visionaustralia.org.

Need help ordering?

If you're having trouble purchasing tennis balls, we’re here to help.

2026 event calendar

Explore upcoming BLV tennis events across Australia for 2026 – including key dates, venues, entry timelines and contacts to help you get involved.

Things you need to know

  • Event dates and venues may change. Players who have entered will be notified directly.

  • Some events may include Friday evening matches (B2–B4 only) due to entry numbers and court availability.

  • Entries open eight weeks before each event.

  • Where available, selecting an event name will open its website with details and registration options. 

Resources

For general enquiries, email blindtennis@tennis.com.au.

Start DateFinish DateEvent NameVenueStateTypePrize moneySurfaceEntries OpenEntries CloseContact NamePhoneEmail
31/1/20261/2/2026AO26 Blind & Low Vision ShowdownMelbourne ParkVICInternationalNAPlexicushionNANAJack Crispin blindtennis@tennis.com.au
TBCTBC2026 VIC BLV League (Term 1)National Tennis CentreVICLeagueNAHardcourt  Jasper Steeds jasperas@optusnet.com.au
28/2/202628/2/20262026 NSW BLV League - Term 1 (6pm-9pm)Tennis World Sydney Olympic ParkNSWLeagueNAPlexicusion    infonswblvt@gmail.com
6/3/20268/3/20262026 SA BLV OpenThe DriveSASignature Plexicushion10/2/202625/2/2026Jack Crispin0466 526 618tournamentssa@tennis.com.au
6/4/20261/7/20262026 SA BLV League (Term 2)The Drive & Next Gen Memorial DriveSALeagueNAPlexicushion  Jack Crispin0466 526 618tournamentssa@tennis.com.au
11/4/202612/4/20262026 Ballarat BLV OpenTennis BallaratVICCommunityNAPlexicushion  Geoff03 5336 2500geoff@tennisballarat.com.au
18/4/202619/4/20262026 VIC BLV OpenNational Tennis CentreVICSignature Plexicushion  Adam Watson tournamentsvic@tennis.com.au
16/5/202617/5/20262026 Tasmanian All Abilities OpenTennis World LauncestonTASSignature Hardcourt  Phoebe Davis0435 969 395phoebe.davis@tennis.com.au
30/5/202630/5/20262026 NSW BLV League - Term 2 (6pm-9pm)Tennis World Sydney Olympic ParkNSWLeagueNAPlexicusion    infonswblvt@gmail.com
30/5/20261/6/20262026 South Mandurah BLV OpenSouth Mandurah Tennis ClubWACommunityNAHardcourt  Bellinda Devine0438 285 293tennis4all.smtc@gmail.com
6/6/20268/6/20262026 NSW BLV OpenTennis World Sydney Olympic ParkNSWSignature Hardcourt  Allira Smith-Connor0499 564 176nswtournaments@tennis.com.au
13/6/202614/6/20262026 ACT All Abilities OpenCanberra Tennis CentreACTSignature Hardcourt  Skye Davis02 6160 7808acttournaments@tennis.com.au
17/7/202619/7/20262026 Australian BLV Tennis ChampionshipsNational Tennis CentreVICNationalTBCPlexicushion  Ben Dew0466 571 776blindtennis@tennis.com.au
31/7/20262/8/20262026 QLD BLV OpenQueensland Tennis CentreQLDSignature Plexicushion  Jennifer Johnson0466 922 039tournamentsqld@tennis.com.au
8/8/20268/8/20262026 NSW BLV League - Term 3 (6pm-9pm)Tennis World Sydney Olympic ParkNSWLeagueNAPlexicusion    infonswblvt@gmail.com
25/8/202629/8/20262026 IBTA World Blind Tennis ChampionshipsSEB Arena (Vilnius)LITHUANIAIBTATBCHardcourt    info@internationalblindtennis.org
TBCTBC2026 Somerton Park Junior BLV Open (18&U)Somerton Park Tennis Club SACommunityNAHardcourt  Jack Crispin0466 526 618tournamentssa@tennis.com.au
19/9/202620/9/20262026 WA BLV OpenKingsway Indoor StadiumWASignature Indoor Floor  Brad Ladyman0498 572 395bradley.ladyman@tennis.com.au
TBCTBC2026 Victorian BLV Tennis League (Term 4)National Tennis CentreVICLeagueNAPlexicushion  Jasper Steeds jasperas@optusnet.com.au
TBCTBC2026 NSW BLV League - Term 4TBCNSWLeagueNAHardcourt    blindtennis@tennis.com.au
TBCTBC2026 City Community Tennis Adaptive All Abilities Club ChampionshipsCity Community TennisNSWCommunityNAPlexicushion  Marita Morgan0433 899 644marita@citycommunitytennis.com.au
TBCTBCIBTA World Team CupTBCUSAIBTA TBC    info@internationalblindtennis.org
4/12/20266/12/20262026 Peter Smith Open The Drive & Next Gen Memorial DriveSASignatureNAPlexicushion  Brad Poole0403 107 258bradley.pool@tennis.com.au

 

How rankings work

The BLV Australian Ranking is the national system for players with blindness or low vision. It’s calculated on a 12-month rollover, using each player’s top four results.

2026 BLV Australian Ranking Guidelines

Access the guidelines and eligibility criteria via the 2026 BLV Ranking Guidelines.

Australian rankings

Current as of 1 April 2026
Each classification includes singles and doubles rankings. Use the headings below to navigate by division.

B1 rankings

B1 men’s singles

RankNameStatePTS
1Isaiah MullerSA390.00
2Arthur PirikaWA300.00
3Mikail LiakosVIC180.00
4Paul PattersonNT150.00
5Brendan SpencerVIC60.00

B1 women’s singles

RankNameStatePTS
1Isabella AllenQLD630.00
2Tess WhelanVIC525.00
3Nicole MuirWA225.00
4Lynette WilsonNT 150.00
5Pamela ParsonsWA150.00
6Michell HullinWA120.00
7Julyanne CampbellWA45.00
8Olivia ChanVIC30.00

B1 open doubles

RankNameStatePTS
1Tess WhelanVIC150.00
2Isabella AllenQLD135.00
3Mikail LiakosVIC78.75
4Arthur PirikaWA67.50
5Nicole MuirWA63.75
6Olivia ChanVIC
56.25
7Isaiah MullerSA52.50
8Michell HulinWA52.50    
9Lynette WilsonNT37.50
10Paul PattersonNT37.50
11Pamela ParsonsWA37.50
12Brendan SpencerVIC15.00

B2 rankings

B2 men's singles

RankNameStatePTS
1Oliver FanshaweQLD750.00
2Ethan CookSA615.00
3Mark HaskettSA420.00
4Mick ButlerSA270.00
5David GordonVIC210.00
6Bradley BriderWA120.00
7Robert FletcherVIC90.00
8Ty AtkinsonVIC90.00
9Timothy HaggisSA75.00
10Scott DannQLD60.00
11Lachlan WallaceSA60.00
12Nick CarozzaSA60.00
13Ned Brewer-MaigaVIC45.00
14David SteedsVIC45.00
15Brett WilsonVIC15.00
16Timothy GreenNSW15.00

B2 women's singles

RankNameStatePTS
1Courtney WebeckNSW750.00
2Amelia HartSA330.00
3Candice KennedySA225.00
4Kaden LarneyWA210.00
5Karen PapanikolaouNSW210.00
6Phoebe FinlayQLD150.00
7Aranzazu MezoVIC150.00
8Melissa BarnettSA90.00
9Janet EtchellsQLD60.00
10Eva ForgacsSA60.00
11Katherine WalshawQLD45.00
12Isabella AllenQLD30.00

B2 men's doubles

RankNameStatePTS
1Ethan CookSA157.50
2Mark HaskettSA139.25
3Bradley BriderWA127.50
4Mick ButlerSA97.50
5Rob FletcherVIC82.50
6Lachlan WallaceSA82.50
7Oliver FanshaweQLD75.00
8David GordonVIC71.25
9Timothy HaggisSA67.50
10Ned Brewer-MaigaVIC61.25
11Scott DannQLD56.75
12Ty AtkinsonVIC52.50
13Michael LeighNSW30.00
14David SteedsVIC22.50
15Nick CarozzaSA5.00
16Brett WilsonVIC5.00

 

B2 women's doubles

RankNameStatePTS
1Courtney WebeckNSW165.00
2Karen PapanikolaouNSW71.25
3Kaden LarneyWA42.50
4Amelia HartSA41.25
5Phoebe FinlayQLD33.75
6Aranzazu MezoVIC33.75
7Janet EtchellsQLD22.50
8Melissa BarnettSA16.25
9Eva ForgacsSA15.00
10Isabella AllenQLD15.00
11Kathryn O'TooleSA15.00

B3 rankings

B3 men's singles

RankNameStatePTS
1Michael LeighNSW675.00
2Reuben FairbankSA540.00
3Matthew McCarthyQLD300.00
4Steve ObeidVIC195.00
5Jaxon CarozzaSA120.00
6Jasper SteedsVIC105.00
7Matthew DivitoSA90.00
8Matthew CameronWA60.00
9Raymond MoxlyQLD45.00
10Adam FayadVIC30.00

B3 women's singles

RankNameStatePTS
1Leah GlassenburySA360.00
2Caroline LaneVIC300.00
3Bo BuakahoSA150.00
4Samantha HallNSW135.00
5Sophie PattonVIC105.00
6Adeline RoeSA75.00
7Phoebe DavidVIC60.00
8Kathryn O'TooleSA60.00

B3 men's doubles

RankNameStatePTS
1Michael LeighNSW157.50
2Reuben FairbankSA120.00
3Matthew CameronWA52.50
4Matthew McCarthyQLD50.00
5Steve ObeidVIC45.00
6Raymond MoxlyQLD31.25
7Matthew DivitoSA26.25
8Jasper SteedsVIC22.50
9Adam FayadVIC22.50
10Jaxon CarozzaSA11.25

B3 women's doubles

RankNameStatePTS
1Leah GlassenburySA71.25
2Caroline LaneVIC52.50
3Bo BuakahoSA22.50
4Samantha HallNSW22.50
5Sophie PattonSA12.50
6Adeline RoeSA12.50
7Kala PetronijevicVIC11.25
8Phoebe DavidVIC7.50

B4 rankings

B4 men's singles

RankNameStatePTS
1Ross PattersonTAS450.00
2Arato Katsuda-GreenNSW360.00
3Sean RussoNSW240.00
4David EdgecombeVIC210.00
5Max OliverSA165.00

B4 women's singles

RankNameStatePTS
1Grace HobbsNSW480.00
2Madison KellyVIC210.00
3Samira CoxNSW150.00
4Patricia SongoroWA90.00
5Shaquana WalkerSA45.00
6Sarah PollardVIC30.00

B4 men's doubles

RankNameStatePTS
1Ross PattersonTAS157.50
2Arato Katsuda-GreenNSW131.25
3Sean RussoNSW116.25
4David EdgecombeVIC33.75
5Max OliverSA30.00
6Matthew DivitoSA22.50
7Steve ArtQLD11.25

B4 women's doubles

RankNameStatePTS
1Grace HobbsNSW105.00
2Madison KellyVIC78.75
3Samira CoxNSW38.75
4Shaquana WalkerSA16.25
5Patricia SongoroWA7.50
6Sarah PollardVIC7.50

Junior rankings

Junior boys singles (mixed classification)

RankNameStatePTS
1Arato Katsuda-GreenNSW560.00
2Ethan CookSA500.00
3David EdgecombeVIC225.00
4Matthew DivitoSA225.00
5Max OliverSA135.00
6Oliver McintyreSA120.00
7Owen RobertsSA90.00
8Nikhil OjhaVIC45.00
9Elliot KingSA30.00
10Mikail LaikosVIC30.00
11Dustin CunninghamSA30.00

Junior girls singles (mixed classification)

RankNameStatePTS
1Leah GlassenburySA315.00
2Madison KellyVIC300.00
3Bo BuakhaoSA120.00
4Shaquana WalkerSA120.00
5Kala PetronijevicVIC60.00
6Phoebe FinlayQLD45.00

Junior boys doubles (mixed classification)

RankNameStatePTS
1Bjorn TurnerVIC30.00
2Nikhil OjhaVIC30.00
3Mikail LiakosVIC22.50

Junior girls doubles (mixed classification)

RankNameStatePTS
1Kala PetronijevicVIC22.50

International rankings

Explore the latest international standings and classification results from the IBTA World Rankings – updated as at 12 December 2025.