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Widely favored by millions of people as a leisure
activity, tennis is a sport Special Olympics athletes
can delight in and benefit from even when not competing
in an official Special Olympics competition.
Tennis gives athletes the opportunity to learn and
perform a variety of skills that can be played
throughout life. Today, there are 3,984 Special Olympics
athletes from 65 Programs around the world
competing in tennis.
WORLD GAMES HISTORY
In World Games competitions, tennis is rapidly growing.
In 1987, only 18 athletes from three countries
competed in tennis events. By the 1995 World Games,
the number of athletes vying in tennis events
climbed to158 and the number of countries sending
their tennis enthusiasts to the Games jumped to 15. The 1999 Special
Olympics World Summer Games in Raleigh, North Carolina,
USA, hosted fewer athletes participating in tennis-135-but attracted
a greater representation of countries-23.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Women's Tennis Association supports Special Olympics
by conducting clinics
and assisting with competitions around the globe.
Tennis celebrities such as Monica
Seles, Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini and Aranxta
Sanchez Vicario are strong
backers of Special Olympics and often support these
events.
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Events Offered
1. Singles
2. Doubles
3. Unified Sports™ Doubles
4. Individual Skills Competition
The following events provide meaningful competition
for
athletes with lower ability levels.
1. Target Stroke
2. Target Bounce
3. Racket Bounce |