The remarkable growth of para-standing tennis – meet rising star Luca
• 3 minute read
Para-standing tennis is gaining momentum, with British players winning on the world stage and new opportunities for people to try the sport for the first time, including new LTA supported Para Standing Tennis Hubs.
11-year-old Luca Reese is one of the young players helping to showcase just how powerful and inclusive this growing format can be.
Para-standing tennis is designed for people of all ages with physical impairments, including limb loss, limb difference, cerebral palsy, or short stature, who compete without the use of a wheelchair. With more opportunities emerging nationwide, players are finding both a welcoming community, a competitive pathway to develop their skills and the chance to compete on the world stage.
A young player with big dreams
Luca first picked up a racket at just four years old and has been passionate about tennis ever since. After entering mainstream junior tennis competitions early in his journey, Luca began exploring para-standing tennis last year through several LTA regional taster sessions.
He quickly embraced the community and stepped onto bigger stages, competing at the Regional event in Surbiton, and then being invited to play at the at the World Championships in Barcelona alongside the GB team. Those experiences have only strengthened his ambition.
For Luca, the impact of para-standing tennis goes beyond the court: “I’ve made lots of friends and got lots of inspiration and confidence from playing with people with limb differences just like me and it’s pushed me to see how far I can take this sport!”
And for his mum Kavita, the community has been just as important: “The warm welcome, support and friendship we’ve received from the para-standing community has been incredible. It’s been a joy watching Luca grow in confidence and self-belief.”
Expanding opportunities: LTA supports new Para-standing Tennis Hubs
To help even more players discover the sport, we have recently supported the launch of four new pilot Para-Standing Tennis Hubs, in partnership with: the Queen’s Club Foundation, Hampshire LTA, Gloucestershire LTA and Lancashire & Cheshire LTA.
The hubs will build strong, sustainable para-standing tennis programmes, creating active links with National Disability Sports Organisations (NDSOs) and their local networks, ensuring potential players can easily find sessions that meet their needs.
At the heart of this work is one clear aim; to build a connected, thriving community where para-standing tennis players feel a true sense of belonging.
A pathway with purpose
With regional, national, European and World Championships now established, para-standing tennis is growing quickly. Our disability tennis competitions calendar has already seen a para-standing tennis tournament taking place at Oxstalls Sports Park this year, with tennis tournaments also taking place at the National Tennis Centre, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, and Birchwood Tennis Centre later this year.
2026 will see Britain host an IPSTA 1000 for the first time, staging the Surbiton Trophy Grass Court Championships from 13-16 June, bringing the world’s best players together to compete during the height of British grass court tennis season.
Para-standing tennis
Find out more about para-standing tennis and how you can get involved today.
