Blind Tennis

“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

The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa recently hosted an inspiring blind tennis event featuring renowned coach Dan Aubushon. With the support of the IBTA and USTA Northern California, the event brought together coaches, new players and community members to celebrate inclusivity and the power of adaptive sports.IBTA representatives led the event, offering demonstrations and coaching sessions. Samir Mahir, IBTA President, emphasized the importance of opportunities for visually impaired athletes. “Tennis is a sport for everyone,” Mahir said. “We’re breaking barriers and showing that disability doesn’t define ability. The future of blind tennis is bright.” The success of the Blind Tennis event at JW Marriott Palm Desert Springs highlights the growing interest in adaptive tennis. Dan Aubushon, who is wheelchair bound and fighting multiple medical issues including vision loss, has found a new way of staying involved in the sport he loves; he has a condition called Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy. “This is just the beginning,” Aubushon remarked. “We’re launching the first blind tennis program in the Indian Wells area to bring the joy of the game to our blind and vision-impaired community. Stay tuned for future events and opportunities to support adaptive tennis in Southern California! For those interested in getting involved, please contact Dan Aubushon at (760) 333-4688 or email Brian Hudson at bhudson@scta.usta.com.

We are delighted to invite you to the LITHUANIAN OPEN 2025, an international blind tennis tournament taking place from June 13-15, 2025 in Vilnius, Lithuania. This is an ‘Open’ tournament and all blind tennis players interested in participating are invited. Tournament Details: Location: Vilnius, Lithuania (the exact event venue will be announced after the registration period ends and the approximate number of players in each category is determined) Date: June 13-15, 2025 Registration deadline: April 30, 2025 Entry Fee: €40 (to be paid by May 7th, 2025) Free of charge during the tournament: Water, fruits, snacks We welcome all blind tennis players to join us for this exciting event! Register now! Click the link below and fill out the registration form by April 30, 2025: https://registration.blindsport.lt/player We look forward to seeing you in Vilnius! For more information, please contact us.LITHUANIAN OPEN 2025 Organizing TeamEmail: Lithuanianopen@BlindSport.ltPhone / Whatsapp+37065022040

Following an internal review to ensure our organisation is set for success over the next 3 to 5 years, IBTA is now taking a closer look at its long-term strategy.The IBTA Executive Committee is conducting a strategic review to assess our organisation’s performance, goals, and plans. As part of this process, your input and participation is essential to help shape the future of our organisation.After collecting insights and engaging in consultation with our members and stakeholders, IBTA will present a strategic plan for adoption at the annual general meeting in December 2025. Please complete this survey by the 31st of March 2025. The strategic review survey is available here: https://www.internationalblindtennis.org/2025-strategic-review/

At the 2025 ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam, blind tennis was showcased as an adaptive sport, highlighting its inclusivity and the skill of visually impaired athletes. A demonstration was organized in collaboration with BSTN, the Blind Tennis Foundation of the Netherlands. It featured top IBTA ranked players using adaptive equipment, audible foam balls to provide auditory cues and a smaller court to accommodate the sport’s unique dynamics. Players relied on their hearing and spatial awareness to track the ball and execute precise shots, showcasing remarkable agility and focus. Several children with blindness and low vision have tried blind tennis for the first time. The event drew significant media attention, with press coverage emphasizing the sport’s ability to break barriers and inspire. Major outlets highlighted the athletes’ determination and the growing popularity of blind tennis globally. The demonstration at the ABN AMRO Open was widely praised as a milestone in making tennis more accessible and inclusive in the Netherlands. For more information on how to get involved in the Netherlands, please contact BSTN President, Fanny van den Heuvel, at fannyvdheuvel@gmail.com.

Tennis for the blind and visually impaired is an adapted version of the popular sport, using special aids. Blind tennis, also known as sound tennis, is all about your hearing, orientation and feel. Whether you are young or old, no matter what level. Just for fun or for the fanatic, it is all possible. What is Blind Tennis? Blind tennis is one of the fastest-growing disability sports in the world. The ball in blind tennis is specially designed. It is slightly larger than an ordinary tennis ball and contains a rattle that makes a sound when it moves. This sound helps you locate the ball. You usually play on a smaller court, with a softer ball and a lower net, giving you enough time to react. Levels (Classification Categories) The sport accommodates players with different levels of vision. Players are graded according to their eyesight. B1 for completely blind, and B2, B3 and B4 for partially sighted. Rules of play are adapted to what you need. Depending on the category you play in, the ball is allowed to bounce 1 to 3 times. Where, for example, B1 and B2 are allowed up to 3 bounces. During the game, you meet other visually impaired people. It is not just a sport, but also a chance to share experiences, make friends and encourage each other. Blind and Visually Impaired Tennis in the Netherlands Blind and visually impaired tennis is an official sport and one of the fastest-growing disability sports in the world. It is currently already played in 27 countries worldwide. The IBTA (International Blind Tennis Association) is working to get the sport paralympic. Fanny van den Heuvel and Elise Dolmans want… Read More »Tennis for the Blind and Visually Impaired