NAQI Rizvi plays tennis for the joy of movement and the sense of freedom it brings — and he’s using that passion to champion inclusion in sports.
Blind since age seven due to congenital glaucoma, the 34-year-old Londoner didn’t pick up a racket until his mid-20s.
Now, he’s the world’s top-ranked blind men’s tennis player and is working to raise awareness and push for the sport’s inclusion in the Paralympics, proving that athletic excellence knows no limits.
Also an avid runner, Rizvi has completed two marathons and although jogging with a guide is great, tennis offers more.
“On a tennis court, I have absolute freedom because I know where the boundaries are, no one needs to tell me which way to turn, I don’t need to have a cane or anything of this sort,” he said during a practice session at the National Tennis Center in southwest London.
“It’s just the absolute sense of freedom to know that I can run comfortably, make my own decisions and then be able to play points or rallies. It’s just incredible.”
The rules in blind tennis are basically the same as mainstream tennis just with smaller dimensions and slightly lower net. Tactile lines are taped onto the court so players like Rizvi can feel the boundaries. Depending on the level of visual impairment, you are allowed up to three bounces of the ball. The foam ball contains a bell so players can audibly track it.
“What I find interesting about blind tennis is it’s incredibly technical,” said Rizvi, who also possesses a big serve. / RSC