Rules of Play
Blind and Low Vision Tennis is very similar to mainstream tennis with varying degrees of adaptation between the internationally recognised categories (B1-B4).
B1 Court
Dimensions: 12.8 m x 6.1 m (singles)
Dimensions: 12.8 m x 8.23 m (doubles)
Service line: 1.8 m from the baseline
4.6 m from the net
Net height: 83 cm
Tactile lines on all lines except service boxes
B2, B3 & B4 Court
Dimensions: 18.28 m x 8.23 m (singles)
Dimensions: 18.28 m x 10.97 m (doubles)
Service line: 2.74 m from the baseline
6.4 m from the net
Net height: 90 cm
The Ball
Shoei Industry Co. Sound Ball
Ball colours:
YELLOW or BLACK
EQUIPMENT
Playing equipment for BLV tennis is the same as mainstream tennis. Equipment must align with ITF product conformity
Bounces
B1: up to 3 bounces
B2: up to 3 bounces
B3: up to 2 bounces
B4: up to 1 bounce
VOLLEYS ARE PERMITTED IN ALL CATEGORIES
BLINDFOLD
B1 players must wear a standard Paralympic approved blindfold.
The blindfold may be removed only once per game and during pauses in between games.
Players should signal to the umpire if they need to move the blindfold in any way.
WHEN TO SERVE & RECEIVE
Before starting the service motion the server must call “Ready?” and wait for the receiver to reply “Yes”. The server then has 5 seconds to serve the ball during which time s/he may not alter their position on the court.
The server must shout, “Play” immediately before hitting the ball.
The server and the receiver may ask an umpire, ball person, or volunteer about their own position on court, in order to locate themselves on the court.
PLAYER LOSES POINT
A B1 or B2 player loses the point if s/he does not return the ball before the fourth bounce (3 bounces allowed).
A B3 player loses the point if s/he does not return the ball before the third bounce (2 bounces allowed).
A B4 player loses the point if s/he does not return the ball before the second bounce (1 bounce allowed).
Note: At all times the first bounce must be within the court or, in the case of a serve, within the appropriate service court. Any additional bounces may be inside or outside the court.
If the ball hits the player inside the court before the first bounce, it is a point for the opponent (all categories).
If the ball hits the player when they are outside the court before the first bounce, it is a point for the player (all categories).