The inaugural WA Blind and Low Vision Open was held on the weekend of 29-30 October at ECU Joondalup. The draws were filled with players from all over Australia, competing to be crowned as the first ever WA Open State champion in their category. This also included the first ever B1 category to be played in Australia.
The WA Blind and Low Vision Open comprises of various categories of competition, with play that is modified with an audible yellow or black ball depending on the category. Depending on the classification (see below), play is either with one, two or three bounces of the ball.
There are 4 classifications/categories of Blind and Low Vision Tennis:
| Classification | Eligibility criteria | Tennis Australia events |
| B1 | Visual acuity poorer than LogMAR 2.60 |
|
| B2 | Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.50 to 2.60 (inclusive) | |
| B3 | Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.0 to 1.40 (inclusive) OR visual fields less than 10 degrees diameter and visual acuity better than 0.5 (B4) | |
| B4 | Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 0.5 to 0.9 (inclusive) OR visual fields less than 40 degrees diameter and visual acuity better than 0.5. |
(Source: International Blind Tennis Association)
Players attended from SA, VIC, NSW, QLD and WA. Local coaches, seeing-eye dogs, family and friends made up the support networks present, contributing to a lively atmosphere.
The 2-Day event was a result of multiple years of programs and pathways in WA. Involving education, coach expansion and social play/match play.
The BLV program started back in 2020 with Ian Ketteringham and The Tennis Pro team. Winner of the 2022 Tennis West Award for “Most Outstanding Inclusion Initiative” the program has grown quite quickly, with sessions being delivered at Alexander Park Tennis Club, the State Tennis Centre and also the beginning of another squad out at South Mandurah tennis Club, delivered by Belinda Devine.
Congratulations to all the participants and the winners.
| B1 Singles | B2 Singles (women) | B2 Singles (Men) | B2 Doubles | B3 Singles | B4 Singles | |
| Winner | Ryan Honschooten | Courtney Webeck | Bradley Brider | Matthew Cameron & Courtney Webeck | Scott Dann | Rob Noseda |
| Runner-Up | Pamela Jayne Parsons | Julyanne Campbell | Scott Dann | Alan Leahy &
Bradley Brider |
Matthew Cameron | Adam Fayad
|
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