General Information The sport of wheelchair tennis follows the same rules as able-bodied tennis except wheelchair tennis players are allowed two bounces of the ball. The player must return the ball before it hits the ground a third time. The wheelchair is part of the body and all rules that apply to a player's body also apply to a player's wheelchair. Originating in the USA in 1976, tennis is the most rapidly growing wheelchair sport in the world. Today the International Wheelchair Tennis Federation has 48 member nations and has been a Paralympic sport since 1992. An athlete wishing to play wheelchair tennis must be medically diagnosed as having a mobility related disability that requires the use of a wheelchair. For the beginner and intermediate player, local tournaments are offered. For the more competitive players, higher levels of competition are offered and then they can progress to regional, national and international competition including the World Cup and Paralympic Games. Players are classified into male and female divisions, Junior, or Quad Division (for those with mobility related impairments in three or more limbs). The BCWTA is a provincial non-profit organization responsible for the development and support of wheelchair tennis in British Columbia. The organization supports developmental programs, provides financial support to players travelling to tournaments, and serves as a communication link for its members. What is unique about wheelchair tennis? Where a wheelchair player is playing with or against an able-bodied person in singles or in doubles, the rules of wheelchair tennis apply for the wheelchair player while the rules for able-bodied tennis apply for the able-bodied player. The wheelchair player is allowed two bounces while the able-bodied player is allowed only one bounce.