Tennis

Tennis, first introduced as a Special Olympics sport at the 1987 World Games in Indiana, is known as one of the oldest and most popular sports worldwide. Over 16,000 athletes and Unified partners nationwide train and compete in tennis every year. At the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, we plan to offer singles, doubles, and Unified doubles competitions.

How It’s Played:
Tennis is a fast-paced racket sport that requires agility, strategy, and precision. Played on a rectangular court divided by a net, the game involves rallying a felt-covered rubber ball over the net to outmaneuver opponents. At the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, athletes and Unified partners will compete in singles, doubles, and Unified doubles competitions. Players use a combination of groundstrokes, volleys, and serves to win points by landing shots within the court while forcing opponents into errors. Tennis follows a unique scoring system—points progress from 15 to 30 to 40, and the fourth point wins the game, unless both players reach 40, in which case they must win by two points. A set is won by the first player or team to win six games, with at least a two-game lead. Matches are typically played in best-of-three sets. The sport demands endurance, quick reflexes, and strategic shot placement for success.