 Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 04 Oct 2005 | | | | | |
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| 04 Oct 2005 | |
| Wheelchair Tennis and the ITN |
The ITN is a fantastic tool to promote the integration of wheelchair tennis players into regular competition. The rules of tennis permit a wheelchair tennis player to compete in able-bodied competitions utilising the two-bounce rule.
This means that the first bounce must land inside the court, but the second bounce can land outside. Serves are also subject to the two-bounce rule, with the first bounce inside the service box. A wheelchair tennis player with an ITN of 7 can play an able bodied player with an ITN of 7 and have a competitive match.
A success story: ColombiaQuote from Fabio Padilla (wheelchair tennis player Colombia):
‘I’m very happy to tell you this……….last weekend we (Bogota wheelchair tennis players) were playing at an able bodied tournament in the Bogota Tennis League…all thanks to the ITN process.
Many people were surprised about seeing us playing against them….and winning some matches too!!!…
The Bogota tennis league was very happy about this experience of integration .. and want to keep inviting us to participate in these kind of events... maybe also in other clubs.’
Why not have a separate ITN for wheelchair tennis players?
The ITN is an international tennis number that represents a player’s general level of play. When the ITN was initially devised a great deal of thought was given to the different competitive groups such as juniors, veterans and wheelchair tennis players. However it was decided that only one international tennis rating system would be operated and that juniors, veterans and wheelchair tennis players would be rated within the same system based on their current level of play.
A separate rating for wheelchair tennis players would complicate the system. The ITF want to encourage integration and the best way to achieve this is to use the same ITN rating under a common language. All tennis players then understand each other and it will be simple for a wheelchair tennis player to find an able bodied opponent of the same standard. Under the current system of divisions used in wheelchair tennis, which the ITF do not propose to change for wheelchair tennis tournaments, an able-bodied club player would not understand a wheelchair tennis player who describes him or herself as a B division player. This means that all tennis players are rated on an international basis with ten rating categories. In time it is hoped that every tennis player worldwide, including wheelchair tennis players, will have an ITN.
ITN and wheelchair tennis
The on-court assessment for wheelchair tennis is identical to that for able-bodied players. However, for obvious reasons, wheelchair players will find the mobility test most challenging, and it is normal that a wheelchair players’ ITN score is affected by a lower mobility score. However, this is not a reason to modify the on-court assessment, because it indicates the challenges which wheelchair players have in moving around the court when playing. Coaches and players should recognise the opportunity which these challenges create for coaching mobility and movement patterns in a chair, which will motivate wheelchair tennis players to work towards improving their ITN scores.
The ITF has recently introduced a new series of on-court assessments for ITN10.3-10.1. These on-court assessments use smaller courts and low compression balls, and are designed specifically for starter players. These new on-court assessments are an ideal way of introducing tennis and the ITN to all starter players.
ITN, competition formats and wheelchair tennis
One of the reasons for introducing the ITN is to encourage more players to compete. By running on-court assessments at your club, players can enjoy competing against others of similar standard at a level which challenges and stimulates them. The case-study from Colombia shows how wheelchair players can be integrated into your ITN on-court assessments and your club competitive programme:
• Organise a 1-day event consisting of an ITN on-court assessment for players.
• Each player pays a fee for their on-court assessment, competition entry and food. This fee should cover coaches and any courts or equipment
• Sift all players into different groups for the tournament, so that each player playes everyone else in their group. Wheelchair players are integrated with able-bodied players:
o ITN 10.3-10.1s
o ITN 9-7’s
o ITN 7-5’s
• Format could be a short sets (tie-break at 4-4), or a timed event with 10- minute matches. Low compression balls and smaller courts should be used for the ITN10.3-10.1 matches
• At the end of the event, ensure that every competitor is given a card with a list of phone numbers of other players with a similar ITN. A voucher for a free court could also be offered, to encourage players to compete more often against other players.
• Finish the day with a barbeque or some drinks, and a presentation by the club president. The club coach should also give a brief presentation showing players how to use the ITN, how to register and changes scores on line.
For further information on wheelchair tennis and ITN, click on:
www.itfwheelchairtennis.com
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