Wheelchair Tennis at the Paralympics You Never Knew

[{"selector":"#anim-f7c76893-acd2-4c7a-a210-b537935b4461 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6ecaf6c5-9137-43da-aa5c-64c021dacdb2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-131.74604%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cb6f9d8d-4031-4e1b-bda1-601382dafc2d","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(-180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] The Sport Was Born Accidentally: Wheelchair tennis was created in 1976 when Brad Parks, an acrobat injured in a skiing accident, tried playing tennis as part of his rehab.

[{"selector":"#anim-0ce1a748-de2d-4bb1-8440-5edfc653688c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-40e0825c-ca5e-4238-9a7c-8e39b6c25226","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(131.74602%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9a86e19c-496f-4286-bfbf-38d182943e38","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-96838c72-a976-44df-b178-acb7082ef3b8","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Two-Bounce Rule: Unlike able-bodied tennis, wheelchair tennis players can allow the ball to bounce twice. The second bounce can even be outside the court,

[{"selector":"#anim-4096ff11-bd24-41a0-9967-64360aca48e3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-13.624999779277914%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cbbaec1c-320f-4edd-9e6c-1372ff2f0634","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-131.34921%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-05c426a1-7d95-4926-a46f-19f9625470b4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0324efcd-8674-47b7-a255-ce292941de54","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Wheelchair tennis includes athletes with various physical impairments, from spinal cord injuries to limb deficiencies, making it one of the most inclusive Paralympic sports.

[{"selector":"#anim-8e4aa5cf-19cc-4ce0-bb10-62ed7e6977f8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-27.695624904088277%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-43ab0ad0-ea94-46e5-af8f-fac89219c37d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4bb9a019-c224-428d-a5f9-19472e87311c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 160.61212%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Superfast Wheelchair Speeds: Elite players can reach wheelchair speeds of up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) during intense matches, showcasing their incredible strength and agility.

[{"selector":"#anim-fd4e3a35-edde-4bc7-bca3-62de2d3561cc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0.3333333345469214%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-57be0e8a-d8b3-416d-8c57-d29ded7317e9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fa66aedf-7a55-46b2-909d-969f1811c695","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-126.19048%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Customized Wheelchairs: Each athlete's wheelchair is custom-built to suit their body and playing style, with specific wheel angles and seat positions to maximize speed and maneuverability.

[{"selector":"#anim-55c6a899-9b55-43cc-9847-056226b22ad6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1ffdd35f-9882-44da-bf7d-1811f99c038c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-437f4082-c02b-44c7-a4b4-15da90c4d196","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -308.12367%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Quad Division: Introduced in the 2004 Paralympics, the Quad Division is for players with impairments in three or more limbs, making it one of the most challenging and inspiring categories in the sport.

[{"selector":"#anim-6d008605-5a20-4fb9-a73d-2a2e5b0a974e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc0524ce-f3cc-485c-a408-6e00a65324c3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-131.74604%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-704429d7-7178-4028-acdb-0eb2b390fbbf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.70432666642842%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The Tennis Chairs Are Not Cheap: A professional wheelchair tennis chair can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000, highlighting the financial commitment athletes often face to compete at the highest level.