Para Standing Tennis: What Is It, Who Can Play and How Does It Work?

Tennis is a sport that can be adapted to suit people with a wide range of physical abilities. Para Standing Tennis is an inclusive format for people with physical impairments who want to play tennis while remaining on their feet, rather than using a wheelchair.

The sport follows almost all of the same rules as non-disabled tennis, meaning players can compete on a full-size court using standard rackets and tennis balls. Depending on their classification, some players can also use two bounces, giving them additional time to reach the ball.

Para Standing Tennis is an evolving sport that is creating new opportunities for people with physical impairments to play, compete and enjoy tennis.

WHAT IS PARA STANDING TENNIS?

Para Standing Tennis is a format of tennis for people with physical impairments who play without using a wheelchair.

Unlike wheelchair tennis, players compete while standing and moving around the court on foot. One of the key features of Para Standing Tennis is how easily it can be integrated with mainstream tennis. Players can use a standard full-size tennis court, conventional rackets and regular tennis balls, allowing para standing and non-disabled players to play together.

The sport is governed internationally by the International Para-Standing Tennis Association (IPSTA) and is supported by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and national governing bodies.

Para Standing Tennis is still developing, with the aim of creating more opportunities for people with physical impairments to participate in tennis at every level – from recreational sessions and social tennis to competitive events.

The sport currently includes players from countries across five continents, and its long-term ambitions include achieving representation at Grand Slam tournaments and ultimately becoming a Paralympic sport.

WHO CAN PLAY PARA STANDING TENNIS?

Para Standing Tennis is designed for people with a range of physical impairments.

This can include people with:

●     limb loss or limb deficiency;

●     cerebral palsy;

●     acquired brain injuries;

●     short stature; and

●     other physical impairments that affect movement or mobility.

You don't need to have played tennis before. Para Standing Tennis is open to people of different ages, backgrounds and levels of experience, and sessions can be adapted to help new players learn and build confidence.

One of the great things about Para Standing Tennis is that players don't have to stay within a separate para-sport environment. Because the game uses the same court, rackets and balls as mainstream tennis, para standing players can play with and against non-disabled players.

This creates opportunities for inclusive club sessions, social tennis, coaching and competitive matches where disabled and non-disabled players can share the court.

PARA STANDING TENNIS RULES

One of the defining features of Para Standing Tennis is that the rules are largely the same as conventional tennis.

Players generally use:

●     a full-size tennis court;

●     standard tennis rackets;

●     standard tennis balls; and

●     the conventional tennis scoring system.

The main adaptation relates to the number of times the ball can bounce before it needs to be returned.

Depending on their classification, some players are permitted to let the ball bounce twice. This provides additional time to reach the ball and allows players with different levels and types of physical impairment to compete.

Para Standing Tennis classifications

Competitive Para Standing Tennis players are grouped into classifications based on their impairment and its impact on their movement around the court.

The current classification structure includes:

Classification	Examples of impairment	Bounces permitted
PST 1	Upper-limb impairment or a similar impairment, including some forms of cerebral palsy	One bounce
PST 2	Below-knee amputation or a similar level of mobility impairment	One bounce
PST 3	Above-knee amputation, double-arm impairment or cerebral palsy with a greater impact on mobility	Two bounces
PST 4	Short stature or an impairment with a similar impact on mobility	Two bounces

Classification is designed to create a fair competitive environment by grouping players according to the functional impact of their impairment.

As Para Standing Tennis continues to develop, its classification system and competition rules may evolve.

PARA STANDING TENNIS AND INCLUSIVE TENNIS

Para Standing Tennis demonstrates how relatively small adaptations can make tennis accessible to a much wider range of people.

Because players can use a standard court and equipment, Para Standing Tennis can be introduced within existing tennis environments rather than requiring a completely separate facility or programme.

It can also be integrated into mainstream tennis. A para standing player can practise with a non-disabled player, take part in a club session or play a social match without needing to change the fundamental structure of the game.

For tennis clubs, this provides an opportunity to create a more inclusive environment and welcome players who may previously have thought tennis wasn't accessible to them.

At Kent Tennis, we want to help more clubs across Kent explore opportunities to make their programmes inclusive and welcoming to people with different abilities.

COME AND TRY PARA STANDING TENNIS

Kent Tennis is hosting a free Para Standing Tennis Taster Session at Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre on Saturday 12 September 2026.

Register

The session is open to all ages and no previous tennis experience is required.

Come along and give it a go, everyone is welcome!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PARA STANDING TENNIS

Curious to find out more about para standing tennis? Watch this video with comedian, presenter and para standing tennis star Adam Hills in which he gets a lesson from two of the sport's best - world para standing doubles champions Matt Grover and Ross Cudmore.