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Wheelchair sports have grown in popularity over the years. One of the most popular of these sports is known as wheelchair tennis. A sport that began in 1976 via its creator Brad Parks, wheelchair tennis is a professional athletic sport that is a part of the Paralympics.
The premise and rules of this version of tennis are almost identical to standard tennis. The court, ball, and racket used is the same size as the professional game in its original iteration. There are only two major differences. The players utilize specially designed wheelchairs for athletic purposes and the ball may strike the ground twice before being hit. This two strike rule is also in effect outside of the boundary lines so that the ball is still considered in play until it hits the ground a third time or it is returned to the other side by the player.
This is an athletic pursuit played primarily by individuals who are handicapped below the waist. However, there are occasional events where people without such a challenge will play this variation for the extra challenge or for charity purposes.
Wheelchair tennis has major tournaments worldwide and was included in the Paralympic Games of 1988. Over the next few years it became increasingly popular until it was accepted as a full-fledged sport in the Barcelona games of 1992. Unlike some pick-up games that can be played in a wheelchair by amateur athletes this sport has become a professional venue for the players. Some go on to compete in tournaments around the world and make a considerable living through endorsements and book deals.
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