The Rules of Tennis
Today we are considering rules on the construction of the wheels used in Wheelchair Tennis. Coverage of this particular section marks the approximate mid-point of our foray into this Rules of Wheelchair Tennis. In addition to learning a lot about this adaptive version of tennis, it is a pleasant surprise to note that examination the Wheelchair Tennis rules sheds light on the spirit and intent behind many of the conventional Rules of Tennis.
Today we are considering the technical specifications of the wheels.
Wheels may have a single pushrim only. No changes to the wheelchair that afford the player a mechanical advantage are permitted, such as levers or gears. During normal play, wheels shall not leave permanent marks on, or otherwise damage, the court surface.
ITF Rules of Tennis, The Rules of Wheelchair Tennis, e.ii
These are really two separate rules lumped into a single section. While both deal with the mechanization of the wheel, one deals primarily with the mechanics of propulsion and the other with the tread on the tire.
A pushrim is the part of the wheelchair that is moved to create motion. Essentially it is a rim that slightly smaller than the circumference of the wheel that is permanently mounted to the outside surface of each wheel. It is more mechanically efficient than pushing the wheel directly with the hand. It also protects the person’s hands from contacting any debris that might be picked up by the wheels.
Some wheelchairs have two pushrims on one side of the chair. That design is intended for people with use of only one arm. In that design, the second pushrim is fused to the wheel on the opposite side of the chair. If the person grips only one of the pushrims, then the chair will turn. If both are gripped, then the chair moves forward in a straight line.
The limitations on pushrims in the Rules of Wheelchair Tennis is coupled with a related restriction on levers or gears. Essentially all of these things could produce an agility advantage for the player. The spirit and intent that can be observed in this rule is that tennis players are supposed to get around the court under their own biomechanical means. For a wheelchair player, the chair essentially becomes a part of their body, specifically the legs.
The second and separate part of this rule is that the wheelchair cannot leave permanent marks on the court. Most facilities have restrictions on the soles of tennis shoes that can be worn on the courts for the same reason. The spirit and intent behind this aspect of the rule is that players shouldn’t damage the court with their equipment. It is odd that it is explicitly within the rules for wheelchair players but absent for all others. It is generally left up to the facilities to enforce for the majority of players.
As a bit of foreshadowing, there are some significant exceptions to the adaptations that can be made for some players. The conditions for determining those exceptions are detailed in upcoming sections of the Rules of Wheelchair Tennis.
- United States Tennis Association (2021), Friend at Court: Handbook of Rules and Regulations, White Plains, NY
