London – Naqi Rizvi loves the “absolute freedom” he feels on the tennis court.
Winning titles is also fun.
The 34 -year -old blind champion is in a mission not only to raise awareness but also raise sport to the Scandal.
“That would be the dream, and I would love to be the first Paralympic champion if I can,” Rizvi said.
The London resident, totally blind from 7 years due to congenital glaucoma, only took the sport a decade ago and now it is The classified male player No. 1 In the world for its category.
Also an avid corridor, Rizvi has completed two marathons and, although running with a guide is excellent, tennis offers more.
“On a tennis court, I have absolute freedom because I know where the limits are, nobody needs to tell me what way to turn, I don’t need to have a cane or anything of this type,” he told The Associated Press during a practice session at the National Tennis Center in southwest London.
“It is only the absolute sense of freedom to know that I can run comfortably, make my own decisions and then be able to play points or manifestations. It is simply incredible.”
The rules are basically the same as conventional tennis only with smaller dimensions and a slightly lower network. The tactile lines stick on the court so that players like Rizvi can feel the limits. Depending on the level of visual disability, up to three ball rebounds are allowed. The foam ball contains a bell so that players can track it audibly.
“What I find interesting about blind tennis is that it is incredibly technical,” said Rizvi, who also has a great service.
The aspect of sport problem solving is something that Rizvi enjoys, it is not surprising that he studied engineering at the University College in London.
“You really must anticipate after hearing the first rebound where the second and third will be,” he said. “Obviously you cannot see how your opponent has hit the ball, so it is a great anticipation and much practice and accustomed to different paths that the ball can take.
Rizvi did not even know that tennis was an option until he visited Blind Metro sport In London a decade ago. I was hooked immediately.
“I can almost assure you that if you did a survey of blind and partially seen people,” he said, “most of them would have no idea because it is not televised, it is not in any other conventional event, so how are people supposed to find out?”
The lawn tennis association supports a program with visual disabilities that includes practice sessions at the National Tennis Center of the ruling organist. That’s where Jack Draper, the world number 5 player, tested the different levels. The LTA also executes tournaments every year and sends “Team GB” to international competition.
Rizvi said there is not much financial support in sports. There are no money awards in tournaments and players often finance their own trip.
“Unless obviously you have visibility and money behind this, it’s really difficult,” he said. “Government organs must assume a more active role and try to give parity to all forms of disability tennis, not only those who have made it great as wheelchair tennis, for example.”
Rizvi, who is married and Work in financeOriginally he represented his native Pakistan, but during the past year he has been part of the England program since British citizens won. He discussed his childhood, his father is Pakistani and his mother is India, in A TEDX talk that gave As a student at UCL.
Invented in Japan by Takei Miyoshi In 1984, blind tennis is played worldwide. Last year’s world championships in Italy were the largest to date with 117 players from 20 countries, the International Blind Tennis Association said.
Rizvi has won several national titles, a European championship, the World Championship in 2023, as well as gold that year in the World Games in ISBA. He is also the twice defender champion of the Play Wimbledon tournament.
The International Paralympic Committee Manual explains that sport or discipline must be “widely and regularly practiced” in at least 32 countries and three continents.
“I really want it to be in the Paralympic Games,” said Rizvi, “but I also want this to be a conventional sport that can be part of the ATP tour, part of Grand Slam tournamentsLike wheelchair tennis has advanced so surprising. I would love that blind tennis is also there because it definitely has the potential.
“It has the countries, the continents, the people, the passion behind this.”
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More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tenis
