Blind Tennis

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

Play Your Way to Wimbledon, formerly known as Road to Wimbledon, is the UK’s largest individual mass-participation tennis competition. Championed by the late Paul Hutchins MBE, former British Davis Cup Captain, the event was first held in the UK in 2002.Starting in 2023, the competition has been revitalized by the LTA and the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), offering players of all ages and abilities the thrilling chance to compete on Wimbledon’s iconic grass courts. For blind and visually impaired tennis players, matches are held at the AELTC indoor facility, ensuring blind tennis rules are respected. Don’t miss Rags Martel’s exclusive interview with Naqi Rizvi, this year’s Play Your Way to Wimbledon B1 competition winner. Listen to his inspiring journey here: https://youtu.be/kq_EVjaVujM.

Jim Currie standing atop the podium at the 2018 Blind Tennis World Championships in Shankill, Co Dublin, Ireland.It is with profound sadness that IBTA shares the news of Jim Currie’s passing. A former B2 blind tennis world champion, and inspiration to many, Jim leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of resilience, passion, and unwavering dedication to the sport he loved.Though his sight was limited, his vision for what tennis—and life—could be was boundless. He showed the world that barriers are only as real as we allow them to be, and his impact will continue to resonate far beyond the court.Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in peace, Jim. Your spirit will forever serve.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE25 July 2025 The International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) is proud to announce its partnership with the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) to drive the global growth and development of blind tennis. The goal is to increase participation for athletes who are blind and visually impaired while broadening the international presence of blind sports.“Through this partnership, we aim to accelerate the worldwide expansion and progress of blind tennis. Given our shared commitment to creating opportunities for athletes with blindness and low vision, the partnership between our organizations will enhance the cooperation in several areas including Classification, Sanctioned Events, Anti-Doping, and Advocacy.” said Samir Mahir, IBTA President.Ilgar Rahimov, IBSA President, fully supports the strategic partnership and a closer collaboration between IBTA and IBSA. “It is truly encouraging to see such strong development of blind tennis across all continents. Formalizing our relationship will contribute to the global development of blind sports and ensure the successful participation of blind tennis athletes in the 2027 IBSA World Games.” Rahimov said.IBSA and IBTA reaffirm their joint dedication to fostering inclusivity, promoting equal opportunities, and advancing the sustainable growth of blind tennis globally. 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 IBSA:The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) is a global governing body that empowers people who are blind and visually impaired to experience quality life-changing opportunities and social integration through sports, thereby educating and inspiring the world. For media inquiries, please contact:IBTA PR Teampr@internationalblindtennis.org

“The Tennis Space” courts played host to Lithuania’s very first international blind tennis tournament, drawing 50 players from 10 countries—including 14 proud representatives from Lithuania! It was more than just sport—it was a celebration of community, emotion, and inspiration.The Lithuanian Open 2025 tournament featured intense battles, surprising victories, and a few unfortunate injuries. Yet that’s the essence of sport—it builds perseverance, determination, and unity.Winners in each category received distinctive trophies, gifts, and—for the first time ever in blind tennis history—monetary prizes. The total prize fund was €1,000, generously provided by our main sponsor, MILA Baltics Ltd. A heartfelt THANK YOU for believing in our mission!Best-performing Lithuanian player goes to: 🥈 Indrė Zuzevičiūtė Praškevičienė – B3 Women’s category finalist! (Kaunas; coach Arūnas Rozga)SPECIAL RECOGNITION – Aidas DanilovasThis tournament would have remained just a dream without Aidas Danilovas—his dedication exceeded 200%. Aidas was the driving force behind every aspect of the event: coordinating volunteers, referees, participants, sponsors, court preparations, logistics, and even emotional atmosphere. His devotion, professionalism, and heart are priceless.A huge THANK YOU also goes to his family—his wife Laura and daughters Eva and Ema—for jumping in and helping bring this extraordinary event to life.Thanks to All Our Sponsors: REMLYGA Ltd LITBANA BURGER STREET MP AGENCY VITALIBRO BIOCOS OSHEE HERMIS AKA BALTIC MILA Baltics Ltd – our main financial sponsor and friend! Special Appreciation to Our Partners: IBTA – International Blind Tennis Association Lithuanian Federation of Sports for the Blind and Visually Impaired Tennis Space Lithuanian Wheelchair Tennis Club Lithuanian Tennis Association Lithuanian Paralympic Committee Parateam Lt Thanks also to Karolis Verbliugevičius, co-organizer and leader of the blind tennis community. Alongside Aidas, he made the impossible possible. See you next year—with… Read More »A New Chapter in the History of Blind Tennis in Lithuania!

Blind tennis in Lithuania enters a new era For the first time ever, Lithuania will host an international blind tennis tournament – Lithuanian Open 2025, taking place on June 13–15 at the “Teniso erdvė” courts (Žirgų g. 1, Gineitiškės, Vilnius district).Over 50 of the world’s strongest blind tennis players from 10 countries are expected to compete in Lithuania. Among them – top-ranked athletes in various categories. These are elite-level players whose skill and dedication inspire and impress. We invite spectators to experience a unique sporting event Lithuanian Open 2025 is not just a sports competition – it’s a rare chance to witness how players with different levels of vision masterfully feel and navigate the court. Some players are completely blind and rely solely on sound, tactile lines, and intuition, while others can only see the ball from a distance of 3 to 5 meters.Matches are played using special sound-emitting balls, allowing athletes to orient themselves in space. Every stroke is proof that determination, focus, and intuition can overcome the limits of vision. This extraordinary experience will captivate not only sports fans but anyone eager to see the true potential of the human spirit. Come and support the athletes – it’s a moving spectacle that will reshape your perspective on human ability. We’re looking for volunteers to support the event To ensure the tournament runs smoothly, we are looking for volunteers to assist during matches by retrieving balls and helping players navigate the courts and surrounding areas. Volunteering is not just assistance – it’s an inspiring experience and a unique opportunity to be part of this historic event. Interested individuals are invited to register at: https://registration.blindsport.lt/savanoris Voices from the organizers “This… Read More »The First International Blind Tennis Tournament in Lithuania – Lithuanian Open 2025

From his first practice for Blind and Visually Impaired Tennis in jeans and dress shoes to rapidly rising up the IBTA world rankings after being crowned Men’s B1 World Champion — Naqi Rizvi has undoubtedly changed the entire blind tennis landscape with his undeniable talent.Despite having won everything there is to win, including World and European Championships, the 33-year-old Naqi was only introduced to blind tennis when he moved to London almost a decade ago.Born and raised in South Asia to a Pakistani father and Indian mother, Naqi grew up with limited vision due to an incurable eye condition, congenital glaucoma, which gradually worsened due to increasing damage to the optic nerve. By the age of seven, he was completely blind.Due to high eye pressure, which caused constant watery eyes, pain and sensitivity to light (photophobia), Naqi decided to undergo enucleation surgery in 2014, replacing his eyes with prostheses, to improve his quality of life. “…making people understand that disability is not the same as inability.”— Naqi Rizvi As someone with an innate optimism and zest for life, and thanks to his family’s support network, Naqi continued to dream big after his surgery. “I had a difficult but very loving childhood, which largely shaped my view of the world,” says Naqi. “We grew up with little financial resources, and my disability made everything even more complicated.“I don’t have many visual memories because I lost my sight at a young age, and I find it hard to relate to simple visual concepts like ‘beauty’, or how people pick up social cues through body language. Also, daily challenges become more challenging, like walking with a cane, using technology, participating in social activities,… Read More »Lack Of Sight Does Not Mean Lack Of Vision

The USA has two new trailblazers in adaptive sports: Jessica Gonzalez and Dante Alejandro who have officially earned world rankings following their participation at last year’s IBTA World Championships in Italy. Their achievements mark a major milestone for blind tennis in the USA, proving that dedication and skill know no boundaries.Both Gonzalez and Alejandro were born legally blind. They have overcome significant challenges to rise in the sport, demonstrating exceptional athleticism and determination. Jessica trains at the Gold River Sports Club in California and Dante trains at the Blind Tennis Cazares academy in Texas. Gonzalez is ranked # 12 in the world in the B2 Women category and Alejandro is ranked # 6 in the B2 Men category. In Paralympic sports, the B2 classification encompasses individuals who can only perceive light or hand movements and have very limited visual acuity or a severely restricted visual field. In Blind Tennis, classification categories range from B1, B2, B3 to B4 with B1 being the most severe vision impairment class which encompasses individuals with total blindness. After discovering blind tennis in 2023, Jessica Gonzalez trained relentlessly and is now playing on a weekly basis. Her consistent serves and quick reflexes have earned her a Top 15 spot in the IBTA women’s rankings, making her the first American woman to represent the USA in international competition.“Tennis gave me back my confidence,” Gonzalez said. “When I’m on the court, I feel empowered.” Dante Alejandro, discovered tennis as a teenager but found his true calling in blind tennis. Known for his strategic play and consistent groundstrokes, he has become a fierce competitor in international competitions.“This sport changed my life,” Alejandro shared. “It’s not just about winning—it’s… Read More »U.S. Blind Tennis Athletes Make History

The inspiring story of an Argentine blind tennis world championBy Gabriel Caparrós From the small town of Benito Juárez in Argentina (20,000 inhabitants), I grew up with a great passion: tennis. I started playing at the age of six. Two years later, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes — a challenge that did not stop me. In fact, I kept going. In 2018, I obtained my tennis coaching diploma, and in 2019 I became a high performance coach through the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR). But in 2020, life took another turn. During the corona pandemic, I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. After nine major surgeries, I lost my sight completely in May 2021.What do you do when everything you know suddenly changes?I chose to return to my first love: tennis. But differently. In March 2023, I started playing blind tennis with a blindfold. That same year, I played my first tournament and my IBTA World Championship in Krakow, Poland. I didn’t win a single match, but I took three matches to a super tiebreak. No medals — but a backpack full of experience and motivation.I trained differently from others. Since I had no other blind players around me, I trained alone with my coaches. I combined techniques from regular tennis with the game for the blind and partially sighted. No official tournaments in my country, no team — only faith, discipline and hope. In 2024, the reward came. During an IBTA international tournament in Poland, I reached the quarterfinals. And a week later, the unthinkable happened: I became world champion of blind tennis in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy. Back in Argentina, I won two national titles. Today, I am ranked… Read More »Blind Tennis Gave Me Direction