Tennis star Courtney Webeck among blind/low vision athletes to be featured at the Australian Open

Athletes with disabilities are set to shine ahead of the Australian Open in a Blind and Low Vision Tennis Match. NSW teenager Courtney Webeck is one of the participants to be showcased at the grand slam.

COURTNEY Webeck is set to take to the court in Melbourne later this month, to feature in a Blind and Low Vision tennis match ahead of the Australian Open.

Webeck is a women’s B2 BLV tennis champion and had previously competed in track and field athletics events, with her tennis career only beginning in April last year.

“It‘s a really big mental game” Webeck said. “Knowing what shot to make on your opponent, knowing their weaknesses, their strengths, and really playing with that.”

BLV tennis athlete Courtney Webeck to feature in a match ahead of the Australian Open. Picture: Mastercard

BLV tennis has been adapted for athletes with vision disabilities, and is usually played on a badminton court or a regular tennis court indoors.

It also utilises a special blind tennis audible ball that is designed to make noise as it moves and bounces, and is either florescent yellow or black to ensure maximum contrast with the surroundings.

Webeck said adapting to a different style of tennis that people are mostly familiar with was a challenge.

“It is so similar, but it’s got those adaptations to make it more accessible to an athlete with a vision impairment.” Webeck explained.

“Having those little adjustments make it really good for an athlete with a vision impairment, and having it so similar to traditional tennis I think makes it easier for the general public and spectators that are lovers of tennis to go and enjoy.”

The 19-year-old competed in her first tournament in April 2022, and by September she was on her way to Melbourne to participate in the National Blind and Low Vision Tennis Championships, where she won the Australian title.

Around 30 athletes competed at the championships across the different classifications, with Webeck suggesting many of them were similar to her and had only recently gotten into the sport.

Webeck believes its important athletes with disabilities are represented in sport, especially since new research shows the majority of Australians agree there isn’t enough representation.

The findings have prompted Mastercard to feature a BLV tennis match ahead of the Australian Open, which Webeck will be participating in.

BLV B2 tennis champion Courtney Webeck to feature in a match ahead of the Australian Open. Picture: Mastercard

The company will also be funding a grant to grassroots tennis clubs, to help with accessible facilities for aspiring athletes with blind and low vision.

“It will definitely have a big impact on the sport.” Webeck said. “The grassroot funding will definitely boost the sport. Bringing those athletes up through the sport, to the national level, I think will make a huge difference.”