USBTAUS Blind Tennis Association

About the USBTA

Founded in 2022, we are leading the way in bringing blind and low vision tennis to the mainstream.

Our mission

To educate and grow blind and low vision (BLV) tennis across the United States.

The United States Blind Tennis Association works with the USTA nationally and locally to open tennis to an underrepresented community. We have held trainings and programs in several states, we conduct research, and our work has been recognized with local and national awards.

BLV tennis is played around the world, and we are building the community, coaching, and competition that let American players take part.

History of blind tennis

  1. 1984 The sport is born in Japan

    Miyoshi Takei, a blind student in Japan, invents blind tennis. He designs a ball that makes sound, raised court lines players can feel, and a lower net.

  2. 2014 An international governing body

    The International Blind Tennis Association forms to set rules and regulate the sport worldwide.

  3. 2022 USBTA is founded

    The United States Blind Tennis Association launches to bring BLV tennis into the mainstream across the country.

How the game is played

Blind tennis follows the familiar rules of tennis, with a few changes that let players compete using sound and touch.

  • The ball: a larger foam ball that makes a rattling sound as it moves.
  • The court: a smaller court with tactile lines players can feel.
  • The net: lower than a standard tennis net.
  • Bounces: players may let the ball bounce more than once before returning it. The number depends on their classification.

Sight classifications

Players compete against others with a similar level of vision.

B1
Players who are totally blind or have very little light perception. B1 players wear blackout eyeshades so that every player competes on equal terms.
B2
Players with very limited sight.
B3
Players with low vision who have more usable sight than B2 players.

Bring blind tennis to your community

Clubs, schools, coaches, and sponsors: we would love to partner with you to grow BLV tennis across the United States.

Ways to get involved Email us