Overview

Para Standing Tennis is played by people with physical disabilities who compete without using a wheelchair — athletes with upper or lower limb impairments and individuals with achondroplasia. What began as a grassroots movement has grown into a global discipline: today, over 500 players from more than 45 countries across 5 continents compete under the governance of the International Para-Standing Tennis Association (IPSTA), with the support of the International Tennis Federation.

The sport’s ambition is clear: representation at Grand Slams and full inclusion in the Paralympic Games. A demonstration event at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2023 US Open, a formal MoU signed between IPSTA and the ITF, and the 2026 World Championships coming to Turin are all milestones on that road.

Behind every fair competition lies a rigorous system for grouping athletes into categories. In Para Standing Tennis, four classifications are currently in use — PS1 (upper limb impairment), PS2 (lower limb impairment with good residual mobility), PS3/PS4 (lower limb impairment with reduced mobility and athletes with achondroplasia).

Building a classification system that is objective, reproducible, and internationally recognised is one of the sport’s most critical scientific challenges — and the central focus of the research partnership between Para Standing Tennis and Politecnico di Torino.

The research team is developing the first evidence-based classification framework for Para Standing Tennis, combining field observation, biomechanical laboratory testing, and AI-powered data modelling. The project is supported by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center within the Sport Hub ecosystem.

Turin is not just the seat of this research — it is the home of Para Standing Tennis on the world stage. The city hosted the first-ever World Championship in 2024, and will welcome approximately 100 players from over 30 countries for the 2026 IPSTA World Championships at Monviso Sporting Club.