Blind Tennis

As the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) marks its 45th anniversary this year, the organisation stands as a testament to the power of sport to transcend barriers, transform lives, and unite communities across the globe. This diamond jubilee celebration is not merely about commemorating four and a half decades of existence—it is about honoring the countless blind and partially sighted athletes whose stories of resilience, determination, and triumph continue to inspire millions worldwide.Founded in 1981, IBSA was established with a singular vision: to create opportunities for athletes with visual impairments to compete at the highest levels of sport. What began as a modest initiative has grown into a global movement, recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and partnered with organisations such as the World Blind Union, UEFA, and the International Judo Federation. IBTA is proud to have partnered with IBSA in 2025, working together to further develop and grow our sport around the world.IBSA’s mission has always extended beyond medals and podiums. To mark this milestone anniversary, IBSA has launched a global initiative inviting blind athletes from every corner of the world to share their personal stories. These narratives reveal the profound impact that sport has had on their lives. Blind and vision impaired athletes and participants from around the world are invited to contribute to the IBSA 45th anniversary storytelling initiative. Stories can be submitted through the IBSA website or via email at media@ibsasport.org, where selected narratives will be featured throughout the anniversary year.

The International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) continues to grow and strengthen the development of tennis for blind or partially sighted athletes worldwide. We are pleased to announce important updates regarding our official events and the new ranking points system, designed to provide more opportunities for competition and recognition for our players.During the IBTA Extraordinary General Assembly on 12 March 2026, member nations have approved a new ranking points structure. Our official tournaments bring together players from different countries, promoting not only high-level performance but also inclusion, cultural exchange, and the growth of our international community.Events such as the upcoming World Championships in Vilnius, Lithuania frim 23-29 August will be key in continuing to position Blind Tennis on the global stage. We also invite players, coaches, and organizations to participate in other events and be part these unique experiences worlwide.IBTA has updated its ranking system and launched a new ranking points structure effective 12 March 2026. The aim is to recognize all our athletes’ performance in all official tournaments, establish clearer international ranking criteria and encourage participation in IBTA-sanctioned events. Players will be able to earn points based on their combined results, which will determine their position in the official world rankings.Effective this season, the tournament levels are comprised of five tiers, with the following point allocation: Tier 1: IBTA World Championships and the IBSA World Games, with minimum of eight countries from at least four different continents and more than 60 players, are allocated 2000 points. Tier 2: International tournaments, with minimum of five countries from at least three different continents and more than 40 players, are allocated 1000 points. Tier 3: Continental tournaments, with minimum of three countries from the same… Read More »More IBTA Sanctioned Events in 2026 and a New Ranking System

In partnership with Blind Sport Lithuania (Blind Sport LT), the IBTA is pleased to announce that registration for the 2026 IBTA World Blind Tennis Championships is now open. The event will take place from 23-29 August 2026 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The registration deadline is 15 May 2026. Click here to register!

IBTA is pleased to announce that Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital city, will host the 2026 IBTA World Blind Tennis Championships. Blind Tennis Lithuania (Blind Sport Lt) has been selected to organise the 2026 event. IBTA congratulates Blind Sport Lt and Lithuania’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) for being awarded the 2026 world championships.This year’s IBTA World Blind Tennis Championships will take place at the SEB Arena in the city of Vilnius from 23–29 August 2026 with onsite visual classification planned for the 23rd and 24th of August. SEB Arena, an ITF-certified National Training Centre, is the largest indoor tennis complex in Central Europe. More details about the event and registration to follow in the coming weeks.

In a landmark moment for adaptive sports, tennis fans at Melbourne Park witnessed history this week as AO 2026 hosted the inaugural Blind and Low Vision Tennis Showdown. The vibrant event, a captivating team battle between Team World and Team Australia, not only showcased extraordinary athleticism but also served as a powerful testament to the fact that blind tennis is one of the fastest-growing adaptive tennis variations on the global stage.Held on the tournament’s final weekend, the showdown delivered a spectacle of skill, speed, and sound. The rhythmic bounce of adapted audible balls—filled with ball bearings to create a continuous audible rattle—and the players’ swift, precise movements captivated an audience that included tennis officials and new fans for all over the world.The team rivalry added a fiery, Laver Cup-like atmosphere. Team Australia, buoyed by a roaring home crowd, featured local heroes like world number one Ross Patterson (Men’s B4), whose explosive forehands drew gasps. For Team World, Japanese veteran and former world number one Yumi Yokota (Women’s B1) displayed breathtaking touch and tactical genius. The climactic moment came on Day 2 of the showdown when Team World rallied to 10 points behind Team Australia with 11 points, forcing a nail-biting finish where both teams needed 2 out of 3 wins to lift the trophy.“I want to thank our BLV tennis team and the players on an incredible showdown. We’ve reached remarkable milestones showcasing the rising popularity and accessibility of tennis. We look forward to celebrating blind tennis again at AO next year” said Tennis Australia Chief Tennis Officer, Tom Larner.The numbers support the momentum. From a handful of programs less than a decade ago, blind tennis is now played in… Read More »Team Australia Wins Australian Open 2026 Showdown

IBTA is pleased to collaborate with Hip Hop Saves Lives, a nonprofit organisation in the USA, to promote a song that honours the inaugural blind tennis competition at the Australian Open 2026. Chad Harper, Hip Hop Saves Lives founder and a member of Rotary World Disability Advocacy crafted a new song with artists across 3 continents to celebrate Blind Tennis as a new addition to the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament.The song is the result of a joint project between Hip Hop Saves Lives and The Rotary World Disability Advocacy (RWDA). RWDA has a strong focus on the human rights for people with disabilities and recognized music and the arts as a vital part. RWDA actually has a member, Nathalia Benavides, who is a blind tennis player from Colombia. She’s the only Latin American participating in this inaugural competition in Melbourne, Australia.The Australian Open has been a leader when it comes to inclusion and promoting adaptive tennis. AO was the first tennis grand slam to add wheelchair tennis in 2002. IBTA President, Samir Mahir, says music to highlight what we are doing with the sport is a much-needed addition. You can listen and download the song on bandcamp: https://hiphopsaveslives.bandcamp.com/track/blind-tennis-ability-20 On this upbeat dance track Harper from Brooklyn, NY produced the music, raps the first verse and part of the chorus. Club Member Mesh Holykid from Kenya raps the second verse. Lynsey Anne Core from Ireland sings the third verse with harmonies provided by her fellow countryman Patrick Hogan. Kunta Official Beats from Kenya mixed and mastered the song. Joy Mercy who is actually blind sings the chorus that reads “I can see with my ears, what I can’t see with… Read More »Music Celebrates the Inaugural Blind Tennis Competition at AO 2026

For the first time in tennis history, a Grand Slam will organise a competition for blind and visually impaired athletes. The Australian Open 2026 Blind and Low Vision Showdown is scheduled for January 31–February 1, marking a major step for inclusion at the sport’s highest level. The competition format of this invitational event will feature Team Australia vs. Team World, with 16 top IBTA ranked players across all classification categories. This groundbreaking event places elite blind tennis on one of the sport’s biggest global stages, redefining inclusion in professional tennis. Visit the official Australian Open site for more information.https://ausopen.com/articles/news/australian-open-2026-blind-and-low-vision-showdown-make-grand-slam-history

In a captivating exhibition that became one of the talking points of the 2025 ITF World Coaches Conference (WCC), many of the world’s leading tennis coaches were introduced to blind tennis for the very first time. The demonstration, a powerful result of the collaboration between the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA), showcased the incredible athleticism, skill, and accessibility of the game.The exhibition in Vilnius, Lithuania, featured the current B1 European Champion, Karolis Verbliugevicius from Lithuania, and Carlos Arbos Ginard from France, with coach Aidas Danilovas from Blind Sport Lithuania.For the assembled coaches, whose expertise spans all levels of the sport, the demonstration was a revelation. It challenged conventional perceptions of athletic capability and opened their eyes to a new dimension of tennis inclusion. “This was more than just an exhibition; it was a masterclass in adaptation and focus,” said one attending coach. “To see the players’ spatial awareness, their timing, and their competitive spirit is humbling. It immediately makes you think about how we can make tennis truly a sport for all.”The presence of blind tennis at the premier coaching conference is a direct outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ITF and the IBTA earlier this year. The partnership aims to promote, develop, and integrate blind tennis within the global tennis community, providing a structured pathway for competition and participation.The goal is clear: to spread awareness and provide coaches with the tools to introduce blind tennis in their own communities and clubs. The enthusiastic reception in Vilnius suggests a fertile ground for growth. “The energy in the main stage of SEB Arena was incredible,” Samir Mahir, IBTA President, noted. “These… Read More »Blind Tennis Exhibition Captivates Coaches at 2025 ITF World Coaches Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE13 October 2025 IBTA is proud to announce its partnership with the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Both organisations have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance global development and strengthen collaboration between the two organisations.The MOU reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to tennis and ensuring the sport is inclusive and accessible for all, while growing opportunities for blind and visually impaired players of all ages and skill levels.IBTA’s mission to grow blind tennis and create opportunities for blind and visually impaired players aligns closely with the ITF ‘2024+4’ strategy. Both organisations are looking forward to deepening collaboration in several areas including classification & testing regulations, officiating & coaching certification, standardising adaptive equipment, and advocating for the inclusion of blind tennis in major multi-sport events, most notably the Paralympics. About IBTA: The International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) is the global governing body for blind and visually impaired tennis, working with over 30 countries to ensure the sport is accessible to all. Their mission is to promote healthy lifestyles, inclusion, and fair play through adaptive tennis. About ITF:The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is the world governing body of tennis, one of the few truly global sports. The ITF’s mission is to further grow and promote the sport of tennis worldwide, to develop the game at all levels and ages, and to make, amend and uphold the rules of the game. One of the ITF’s key roles is to organise major international tennis team events, including Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge, the Olympic Tennis Event and Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Event. For media inquiries, please contact:IBTA PR Teampr@internationalblindtennis.org

The countdown has begun! With less than a month to go, the preparations for the highly anticipated 2025 IBTA European Championships have entered their final phase. The host city of Kozerki, Poland is ready to welcome the continent’s finest, promising a week of world-class sporting passion and unity. A Tournament Finalised and Ready to GoOrganisers have confirmed that the majority of planning is complete. The framework is set, the venues are prepared, and the focus now shifts to the blind and visually impaired athletes who will light up the competition. The excitement is palpable, as all logistical and sporting details have been locked in, ensuring a seamless and spectacular event. The Contenders: 12 Nations, 65 AthletesThe heart of the Championships will be the 65 exceptional players representing 12 nations across Europe. The battle for the continental crown will be fiercely contested by the following countries. 2025 Entry List of Competing Nations: POLAND FINLAND FRANCE GERMANY GREAT BRITAIN IRELAND ITALY SCOTLAND SPAIN LITHUANIA LUXEMBOURG UKRAINE (Note: The final list of player names for each country is published below.) Key Dates and Schedule: Your Guide to the ActionMark your calendars! The official schedule provides a clear path from the first whistle to the final trophy lift. Onsite Classification (12-13 October 2025): The Championships begin with the visual classifications. Approximately 23 players who require final certification will undergo this process to ensure fair competition under our sport’s strict classification rules. Tournament Start & Draw Ceremony (13 October 2025): The action officially kicks off at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Monday, 13th October with the much-anticipated draw ceremony. Finals Day & Conclusion (18 October 2025): The tournament reaches its thrilling climax on Saturday, 18th October.… Read More »The Stage is Set for the 2025 IBTA European Championships