Wheelchair tennis classification
Classification is open to any person who has an eligible physical impairment and wants to compete in wheelchair tennis. It's essential if you wish to compete in International Tennis Federation (ITF) events.
Classification isn't required if you are competing in ITF junior level events and in our LTA Regional Series events.
Classifiable impairment groups
Classification determines who is eligible to compete at an international level and ensure fair competition across both Open and Quad Division. To compete in wheelchair tennis, you must have an eligible health condition that falls within one of seven impairment groups:
Ataxia: Uncoordinated movements caused by damage to the central nervous system (e.g., Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis).
Athetosis: Having continual slow involuntary movements (e.g., Cerebral Palsy).
Impaired muscle power: A health condition that either reduces or eliminates the ability to voluntarily contract muscles to move or generate force (e.g., Spinal Cord Injury, Spina Bifida).
Impaired passive range of movement: A restriction or a lack of passive movement in one or more joints (e.g., Perthes, Arthrogryposis).
Limb deficiency: A total or partial absence of bones or joints because of trauma, illness, or congenital limb deficiency (e.g., amputation).
Hypertonia: An increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch (e.g., Cerebral Palsy).
Leg length difference: A difference in the length of their legs (e.g., Dysmelia, disturbance of limb growth).
There will be multiple eligible physical impairments within each classifiable impairment group.
Divisions of wheelchair tennis
Once classified into wheelchair tennis, you're then grouped into one of two divisions: Open or Quad. These divisions guarantee fair competition by minimising the impact which eligible impairments have on the outcome of competition and ensure that the best players can be successful. You can find out more about the wheelchair tennis divisions below:
Players in this division will have a permanent physical impairment that results in substantial loss of function in one or both lower extremities (legs) and that meets or exceeds the sports eligibility criteria.
The Open Division is separated into men’s and women’s competitions.
Players in this division will have a permanent physical impairment that results in substantial loss of function in one or both lower extremities (legs) and one or both upper extremities (arms/ hands and may include level of trunk function).
The Quad Division is mixed, meaning men and women compete together.
Classification process
The ITF governs classification and delivers classification days throughout a calendar year for any new players looking to compete internationally.
You must first compete the ITF's medical registration form and on completion submit this to wchclassification@itftennis.com. You will need your National Association (LTA) to approve, so the medical registration form must also be submitted to wheelchairtennis.classification@lta.org.uk.
In all cases, classification must meet the requirements of the ITF rules which can be viewed here.
This includes:
- Rules and Regulations
- Overview of Sport Class Status
- Master list of all eligible players
- Classification Event Schedule
- Protest Form
Junior players (aged 18 yrs. & under) do not need to be formally classified to compete in ITF events.
This is due to potential impairment changes that may occur as juniors develop through growth and maturation.
Not all impairments are eligible to compete in international competitions.
However, you do not need to be classified to compete in LTA Regional Series Competitions.
Find a competition
Ready to get stuck into competing? Use the link below to find a competition near you: