A blind tennis champion originally from Pakistan, Naqi Rizvi, is working to raise awareness about blind tennis and pushing for its inclusion in the Paralympic Games.

He lost his eyesight completely at the age of seven due to congenital glaucoma, now lives in London and is ranked number one in the world in his category. He took up tennis just ten years ago and has since won several national and international titles, including the World Championship in 2023 and gold at the ISBA World Games.

Speaking to an international news agency, Associated Press, Naqi Rizvi said tennis gives him a unique sense of freedom and independence that he does not find in other activities.

Blind tennis is played on a smaller court with a slightly lower net. A special foam ball with a bell inside allows players to hear its movement. Depending on a player's level of visual impairment, up to three bounces are allowed before returning the shot.

Despite his achievements, Naqi Rizvi highlighted the lack of support and funding for the sport. Most players, he said, have to fund their own travel and participation in tournaments, as there is no prize money. He urged governing bodies to provide equal support for all forms of disability tennis, not just wheelchair tennis.

Naqi Rizvi represented Pakistan earlier in his career, but now plays under England after receiving British citizenship. He hopes to see blind tennis included in future Paralympic Games and one day featured in Grand Slam events alongside other professional formats.

Blind tennis was first introduced in Japan in 1984 and is now played in over 20 countries. According to the International Paralympic Committee, for a sport to be included in the Paralympics, it must be widely practiced in at least 32 countries across three continents.