HARJYOTI cHOUDHURY

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

Blind tennis was featured once again during the All Abilities Day at AO 2025. Participants of all ages celebrated the many ways to enjoy tennis and the Grand Slam event. Australian blind tennis players exhibited their skills and abilities in front of the public on Margaret Court Arena and Show Court 3. All Abilities Day is a day that showcases adaptive tennis for people with disabilities, including wheelchair tennis; blind and low vision tennis, and more.

Vilnius, Lithuania hosted a historic event from November 30 to December 1, 2024. The first-ever Lithuanian Blind Tennis Championship brought together the country’s most talented players and offered the public an opportunity to learn more about this rapidly growing adaptive sport. “Blind tennis is a sport that requires exceptional concentration, quick reactions, and intuition. We hope this championship will inspire more blind and visually impaired people in Lithuania to take an interest in this sport,” says Karolis Verbliugevičius, president of the “Blind Sport Lt” association in Lithuania. Blind and visually impaired tennis promotes active movement but also boosts self-confidence, improves orientation skills, and provides great joy – every successful return of the sound-emitting ball builds self-esteem and motivates further improvement.

Jagwe Muzafaru has established the first blind and visually impaired tennis program in Uganda. Athletes with vision impairment in the Kampala metropolitan area were invited to participate in introductory sessions in early December 2024. Blind Tennis practice sessions are conducted at Makerere University tennis courts every Sunday from 10:00am to 12:00pm. In his capacity as Country Representative, Jagwe’s goal is to grow Blind Tennis in Uganda and start expanding the adaptive sport to neighbouring countries in Eastern Africa.