Blind tennis is played on a regular tennis court using a special audible ball. The main principle: orientate using the sound of the ball, reaction and spatial awareness.
The most important element in blind tennis is the special audible ball. Without it, blind and visually impaired players would not be able to play tennis or orient themselves during the game. The sound elements inside allow players to hear its movement, detect direction and prepare for the shot.
The ball is softer and slower than a regular tennis ball, making the game safer and more comfortable.
Blind tennis can be played on regular indoor or outdoor tennis courts. The most important conditions: a safe environment, clear court boundaries and as little background noise as possible.
B1 players use raised baseline markings with tactile corner and centre markers to feel their position on the court. For visually impaired players, bright high-contrast lines are usually sufficient.
Softer and slower than a standard ball. Sound elements inside allow players to hear its movement and orientate during play.
B1 players — raised tactile baseline with corner and centre markers. B2–B4 — bright, high-contrast court lines.
Standard tennis rackets complying with ITF standards. Beginners receive equipment from the club.
Players are divided into four categories based on their level of vision and compete only against athletes from the same category.
3 bounces · Court 12.80 m × 6.10 m · Net 83 cm
3 bounces · Court 18.28 m × 8.23 m · Net 90 cm
2 bounces · Court 18.28 m × 8.23 m · Net 90 cm
1 bounce · Court 18.28 m × 8.23 m · Net 90 cm
Ball-identification distances are provided only to help beginners roughly understand which category they may belong to. The official category is determined by the IBTA medical classification panel.
Before serving, the server must ask "Ready?" and wait for the response "Yes". The serve must be made within 5 seconds. If the ball touches the net and lands in the correct service area, the serve is replayed (let).
Two sets are played to 4 games. At 4:4, a tiebreak to 7 points. At 1:1 in sets — a deciding match tiebreak to 10 points. Game scoring follows regular tennis: 15, 30, 40, game.
The referee identifies how many bounces before the player hit the ball and whether the ball landed in or out. Out calls include a location comment, e.g. "long 20 cm" or "left 50 cm". In B1 matches this is mandatory.
B1 category: 12.80 m × 6.10 m. B2, B3, B4: 18.28 m × 8.23 m (same width as a regular singles court).
B1 category: net height 83 cm. B2–B4: 90 cm (regular tennis: 91 cm at centre).
B1 and B2 — 3 bounces, B3 — 2 bounces, B4 — 1 bounce. This gives players time to orientate using sound before hitting.
A special soft ball with sound elements inside — the fundamental element of blind tennis, allowing players to play entirely by hearing.
Blind tennis was created in Japan in 1984 by student Miyoshi Takei. He adapted the rules of regular tennis for people with vision loss and developed a special audible ball that allows players to orient themselves through sound.
The first official competitions were held in Japan in 1990. The sport later spread across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Today blind tennis is played in more than 30 countries. More information at internationalblindtennis.org.
Blind tennis in Lithuania officially began on 4 May 2021 at M7 Sport Balžekas Tennis Academy in Vilnius. In 2023, the sports club "Blind Sport Lt" was established.
In 2025, Karolis Verbliugevičius became European Champion in Warsaw and blind tennis was presented at Roland Garros in Paris. On 23–29 August 2026, Vilnius will host the IBTA World Blind Tennis Championship.
Contact us — we will gladly introduce you to the sport, equipment and training environment.
