The Lesotho Lawn Tennis Association officially launched wheelchair tennis on Friday at the Maseru Tennis Courts, marking a historic milestone for sports inclusivity in the country. The ceremony was graced by the Minister of Sports, Hon. Motlatsi Maqelepo, LSRC President Mr. Baba Malephane, LNOC CEO Mr. Morake Raleaka, Lesotho Lawn Tennis Association President Mr. Kamohelo Hlomisi, and other high-ranking officials.
This initiative by the Association aims to make the sport more accessible to people with disabilities, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to take part in tennis regardless of physical challenges. Beyond promoting excellence in the sport, the Association is working towards fostering a more inclusive and diverse tennis community. Officials at the launch emphasized that this step will have a transformative impact on the lives of many individuals with disabilities, by opening doors to active participation in tennis, it will not only promote physical activity but also help players develop their skills, build confidence, and find empowerment through sport.
What is Wheelchair Tennis?
Wheelchair tennis is an adapted form of tennis for athletes with physical disabilities that affect their lower limbs. It is one of the most popular para-sports globally and has been part of the Paralympic Games since 1992. In wheelchair tennis, athletes with mobility impairments such as spinal cord injuries, amputations, or other conditions compete using specially designed sports wheelchairs. These wheelchairs are lightweight, highly maneuverable, and equipped with slanted wheels that provide speed, stability, and quick turning ability.
Players use one hand to control the wheelchair while using the other to hit the ball. The rackets and balls are the same as in regular tennis; no special equipment is required beyond the wheelchair. However, the sport demands exceptional upper-body strength, coordination, and precision for effective movement and powerful shots.
Wheelchair tennis largely follows the same rules as traditional tennis, with just one major exception: the ball is allowed to bounce twice before it must be returned. Remarkably, the second bounce can even occur outside the court boundaries, which evidently gives players greater room for play.
The sport is divided into two main categories:
* Open Division – for athletes with permanent lower-limb disabilities who have full use of their arms.
* Quad Division – for athletes with impairments in both the upper and lower limbs, often requiring straps or specialized grips to hold the racket.
What makes wheelchair tennis especially unique is its integration into the professional tennis circuit. Athletes compete in major international tournaments, including the Grand Slams; the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, sharing the same stage as the world’s top able-bodied tennis players.
The launch of wheelchair tennis in Lesotho is therefore not just a sporting development but a social one. It shows a growing recognition of the importance of inclusivity in sports and promises to inspire a new generation of athletes with disabilities to pursue tennis at both national and international levels.
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