Routledge and Grover fly the flag for Great Britain in para standing tennis at US Open
• 2 MINUTE READ
The US Open Para Standing Tennis (PTS) Invitational event was at the heart of the action as the final Grand Slam of the tennis year came to a thrilling conclusion in New York.
Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz created headlines around the sporting world as they were crowned as singles champions and there were also some stand-out performances from Great Britain’s PST players on the famous courts at Flushing Meadows.
Para standing tennis is the format for people with physical impairments who want to play tennis without using a wheelchair. This includes, but is not limited to, people with limb loss, limb deficiencies, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injuries or people of short stature.
It integrates 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.
This was the second running of the US Open Para Standing Tennis Invitational after the inaugural event in 2024, with this year’s edition featuring 16 players. It was also the first to include female players, which was a significant milestone for the sport.
Once again, the event demonstrated the growing pathway for PST athletes, inspiring the next generation and showing that there are meaningful opportunities to compete at the highest level, with athletes competing who have cerebral palsy, limb length difference, or missing limbs.
Great Britain’s Georgia Routledge made her debut in the US Open Para-Standing Tennis Invitational event in New York, as she reflected on a breakthrough moment for the women’s game.
The visibility is not just symbolic - it’s essential. Representation matters, and seeing female athletes on court can empower other women to believe it’s possible for them as well.
Routledge said: “Attending the US Open was an unforgettable experience and a huge step forward in raising the profile of Para Standing Tennis. It was incredible to see so many spectators engaged, asking questions, and showing genuine interest in the sport. Having officials, ball kids, and our names displayed on the big screen gave us a true sense of inclusion- it felt like we were part of the main event, not just on the sidelines.
“It was especially powerful to see women included in the second year of the PST Invitational. The visibility is not just symbolic - it’s essential. Representation matters, and seeing female athletes on court can empower other women to believe it’s possible for them as well. Confidence can be a barrier, and sometimes you need to see someone else doing it to truly believe that you can too.
“I can now set goals and dream without limits. This was something eight-year-old Georgia, who was once told she’d have to play in a wheelchair if she ever wanted to compete, never thought was possible. Back then, the dream felt out of reach. Now, after stepping onto that court, hearing the applause and support, seeing my name on the screen, and feeling truly included, I know anything is possible. For the first time, I don't just hope - I believe.”
Alongside the wheelchair performance pathway, the LTA supports performance pathways for Learning Disability, Para Standing, Deaf and Visually Impaired 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.
Routledge was joined in New York by Matt Grover, who has been has been a shining star for Great Britain in Para-Standing Tennis in recent years. After his impressive victories at PST World Championships and European Open back in June, he claimed more glory at the US Open as he lifted the Men’s PST2-4 Singles title.
Grover said: “It was great to see so many fans at the US Open engaged in the Para-Standing Tennis events and we had players like Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti and Aryna Sabalenka watching some of the PST action as they prepared for their own matches. The USTA made all the PST athletes feel part of the wider US Open, with visibility and integration within the tournament structure highlighting the USTA’s commitment to inclusion and innovation.
“A personal highlight for me was meeting a young family from Toronto, who came to watch Carlos Alcaraz . Their two-year-old son had just been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and watching the PST tournament gave them a new sense of hope and reassurance that ‘everything will be okay’.”
Inspired by what you see? Find out more about para standing tennis and how to get involved here: Join Para Standing Tennis Community Today | LTA
