Blind and Low Vision Tennis
Blind Tennis often called Soundball Tennis is played on either a badminton court or a standard tennis court using a junior tennis racket and an adapted sponge ball that makes a noise when it bounces. Balls can be either black or fluorescent yellow to give maximum contrast with the colour of the sports hall.
The standard rules of tennis apply with just a few modifications: if you’re totally blind you’re allowed three bounces, those with partial sight are allowed two. Just like standard tennis, you can play singles or doubles. Sighted players can play against visually impaired players, but they’re allowed only one bounce and no volleying.
Rules & Equipment
Ball
The ball that is used in Blind and Low Vision Tennis can be either black or fluorescent yellow to give maximum contrast with the colour of the sports hall, the ball is also designed to make a noise as it moves and bounces.
Court
Blind Tennis is played on either a badminton court or a standard tennis court using a junior tennis racket.
Rules
The standard rules of tennis apply with just a few modifications: if you’re totally blind you’re allowed three bounces, those with partial sight are allowed two. Just like standard tennis, you can play singles or doubles.
Classifications
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. |
Contact
If you would like to know more or become involved, please contact:
Kent Dredge, Sports Development officer, Blind Sports SA
Email: kent.dredge@blindsportssa.org.au
Phone: 0402 564 991
Alternatively, you can follow or contact Blind Sports SA via Facebook.