Inaugural US Blind Tennis National Championship held in Pennsylvania
BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. —
Blind and low-vision athletes from across the country participated in the first-ever U.S. Blind Tennis National Championship, held over the weekend in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
Blind tennis gains ground in the United States
“Blind and low-vision tennis is pretty new in the United States. It’s been a sport that’s played on competition level throughout the world for over 30 years. We are catching up,” Jennifer Roth, board member for U.S. Blind Tennis Association, said. “But thanks to the wonderful support of the United States Tennis Association and local tennis clubs, and the work of the United States Blind Tennis Association, we are making strides to catch up with the rest of the world. And it’s working. We have athletes playing amazing matches, scoring inspirational points that are worthy of any tennis match.”
Athletes celebrate a groundbreaking event
Athletes described the event as a groundbreaking success.
“This was the first U.S. blind tennis tournament nationally. Ever. So this was an amazing event. And I, too, want to make sure the volunteers, the directors, everyone knows, I am so grateful to be a part of this. And we all are. We had an incredible weekend, incredible experience of clinics and play time, so it was really fantastic,” athlete Maureen Esposito said.
Organizers said they are always looking for volunteers and more participants for future events like this.
