British success as Surbiton hosts first IPSTA 1000 para-standing tennis tournament

Supported by the LTA, the tournament is the only sanctioned grass court para-standing tennis event globally, the competition took place a few days before the best players in the sport travelled to Turin to compete in the 2026 World Championships.

Para-standing tennis is the format for people with physical impairments who want to play tennis without using a wheelchair. This includes, but not limited to, people with limb loss, limb deficiencies, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injuries or people of short stature.

Para-standing tennis integrates very easily with the non-disabled game since it can be played on any regular tennis court, with no modifications to tennis rackets or balls. In some para-standing categories, players are allowed up to two bounces of the ball and can easily play against other para-standing tennis players, as well as alongside or against non-disabled players.

The Surbiton event, supported by Surrey Tennis, the LTA, IPSTA and the ITF, featured a strong international entry list that showcased depth and diversity across the rapidly expanding para-standing tennis.

Britain’s Matt Grover highlighted his qualities once again as he secured victory in the PST 2 singles competition, with Ross Cudmore, Rob Teague and Georgia Routledge among the other British players who competed.

This was a key competitive milestone within the international para-standing calendar, attracting top-ranked players preparing for world-level competition.

Alongside world champion Grover, World No.1 Thalita Rodrigues from Brazil competed, while Peru’s Gianfranco Scamarone, the reigning world No.1 world champion also played on the pristine grass courts in Surbiton.

Spectators were given free access to the competition, with those in attendance learning more about para-standing tennis, with a fantastic team of volunteers from Surbiton supporting the players and the organisers of the event.

Kate Maurici, Head of The Queen’s Club Foundation and Tournament Committee chair, said, “It was wonderful to host the first UK international para-standing competition at Surbiton together with tournament director, Roy Staniland.

“We had 12 different countries represented at the event and the players loved playing on the grass in preparation for their world championships in Turin.

“Next year we hope to get even more female and junior entrants so we can include further events at the competition.”

Roy Staniland, Director of Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club, said, “What an honour it was to work with these players and hoped this event would go from strength to strength."

Alongside the para-standing event, The Queen's Club Foundation ran a SEND inclusive festival, inviting children with disabilities to come and try tennis.

Inclusion of disabled people within our sport sits at the heart of the LTA’s vision of Tennis Opened Up.

The LTA supports performance pathways for wheelchair, learning disability, deaf and visually impaired tennis, as well as providing support for para-standing tennis – giving more players the chance to represent Great Britain on the international stage.

The LTA also stages a year-round calendar of domestic disability tennis competitions for wheelchair, learning disability, visually impaired, deaf and para-standing tennis players, so that everyone has the opportunity to compete.