How is wheelchair tennis different?
A · Advanced · The court, the net, the ball and the racket · 7 of 7Checked 13 October 2026
Wheelchair tennis follows the same rules on the same court, with one main difference: the ball may bounce twice. The second bounce can be inside or outside the court. The wheelchair counts as part of the player's body.
How it works
- Two bounces are allowed; the ball must be returned before a third.
- The chair is part of the body: a ball that hits it loses the point, and the chair must not touch the net.
- Serve: the server starts still and may take one push before hitting the ball. No wheel may touch the baseline or the court.
- The player must keep one buttock in contact with the seat when hitting the ball.
- The feet and legs must not be used against the ground or a wheel to brake, turn or push during a point or serve.
- A quad player who cannot serve in the usual way may have the ball dropped for them and hit it after a bounce, using the same method all match.
- Wheelchairs must meet set limits: a single pushrim, no gears or steering aids. Some players may use powered chairs.
- When a wheelchair player plays with or against a standing player, each follows their own rule: two bounces for the wheelchair player, one for the other.
Tricky cases
Can the second bounce be outside the court?
Yes. Only the first bounce must be in.
Is the court smaller for wheelchair tennis?
No. It is the standard court and net.
Why the rule exists
The second bounce gives a player the time needed to turn and push a chair to the ball, while everything else stays the same game.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelchair tennis | As above | Rules of Wheelchair Tennis a to g |
| Classification and competition rules | Separate ITF wheelchair regulations | Not covered |
From the rule book
ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, "Rules of Wheelchair Tennis". Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ITF Rules of Tennis (PDF).