Benefits of Tennis
Tennis is a popular sport played at all levels of skill and by players of all ages. It emphasizes values, such as fair play, sportsmanship and respect for fellow competitors. Tennis is not only fun to play, but it is a lifetime sport activity that is fun to practice and fun to learn.
You do not need to be an expert to begin coaching, only enthusiasm and a commitment to learn the basics. With guidance, anyone with time and interest can become a successful Special Olympics tennis coach and help athletes with intellectual disabilities join the worldwide tennis family.
Tennis competition is based on athlete ability level.
- For athletes with lower ability and limited court mobility, competition is offered in individual skills competition.
- For athletes transitioning from individual skills to traditional match play, competition is offered in Short Court Tennis.
- For athletes with higher physical ability, competition is offered in traditional match play (singles and doubles) and Unified Sports® doubles.
- For the actual tennis events offered, see the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules for Tennis.
