Sports — Tennis

Wheelchair tennis is experiencing growth and is planning to expand its presence by incorporating more Competitive Tennis Association (CTA) events for both men (ATP) and women (WTA).

Wheelchair tennis champions at the U.S. Open receive rousing applause from spectators. It's undeniable that the popularity of wheelchair tennis has surged this year. This year, the number of contestants in the men's and women's draws at the U.S. Open more than doubled,...

, and Administrator

2025 September 15 . 9:10 PM

2 min read

The ascendancy of wheelchair tennis continues, with its next strategic move involving increased... — The ascendancy of wheelchair tennis continues, with its next strategic move involving increased participation in ATP and WTA tournaments.

Wheelchair tennis is experiencing growth and is planning to expand its presence by incorporating more Competitive Tennis Association (CTA) events for both men (ATP) and women (WTA).

US Open Paves the Way for Growth in Wheelchair Tennis

The world of tennis is set to witness a significant shift as the organisers of wheelchair tournaments, scheduled to take place alongside ATP and WTA events from 2023 onwards, remain unnamed but are expected to make a significant impact.

This move towards integration follows the USTA's long-standing commitment to wheelchair tennis. As the governing body of American tennis and the organiser of the U.S. Open, the USTA has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of wheelchair tennis. The USTA has facilitated the inclusion of wheelchair tennis at a collegiate level, making the U.S. Open the first Grand Slam to introduce junior wheelchair competition.

The integration with ATP and WTA tours will mean substantially more eyes for the growing sport. Gordon Reid, the No. 5 men's wheelchair player, expressed his excitement for continued growth at the U.S. Open and beyond, saying, "We always want more. We always want to try and be playing in front of as many people as possible."

Jannik Sinner, a participant in a wheelchair tennis demonstration, echoed Reid's sentiments, stating, "I hope in this sport, wheelchair gets as big as it can. It's amazing." The U.S. Open, with its history of supporting wheelchair tennis, has been a key venue for the sport's growth.

The wheelchair tour operates similarly to ATP and WTA tours, with players playing a long tournament circuit across the globe. This year, the USTA was recognised with the ITF Brad Parks Award for Contribution to Global Growth of Wheelchair Tennis.

The U.S. Open's wheelchair tournament concluded with cheers from fans, a testament to the growing interest in the sport. The number of players in the men's, women's, and quad divisions at the U.S. Open has doubled since 2020. Yui Kamiji, the U.S. Open women's wheelchair champion, stated that the quality of performance is getting higher.

No. 2 men's wheelchair player Alfie Hewett believes the change will bring significant exposure to wheelchair tennis. Hewett, along with other players, is excited about the prospect of playing alongside their ATP and WTA counterparts. Kamiji hopes that people will enjoy watching and return to the tournaments in the near future.

Starting next year, a significant number of wheelchair tournaments will be held alongside ATP and WTA events, marking a new era for wheelchair tennis. The exact organisers of these tournaments remain to be seen, but one thing is certain: the future of wheelchair tennis is bright.