All Abilities Day at Australian Open 2024 will showcase and celebrate the diverse range of opportunities available for all members of the community to experience tennis and enjoy the AO.
“Tennis is a sport that is truly open for all, with a wide range of pathways available for people of all abilities. We can’t wait to showcase and celebrate the incredible level of talent of our Australian athletes with a disability,” Tennis Australia’s Head of Players with a Disability Danielle Gescheit said.
“We hope by providing a platform for more fans to watch and try the different inclusive forms of tennis available, it will encourage them to pick up a racquet and get involved, whatever their ability.”
All Abilities Day on Tuesday 23 January will showcase many of tennis’ disability pathways on the precinct’s biggest courts. These include Wheelchair Tennis, Blind and Low Vision Tennis (BLV), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Tennis (DHOH), and tennis for Players with an Intellectual Impairment (PWII).
There will also be an exhibition of Para Standing Tennis (also known as Adaptive Standing Tennis), which is designed for people with physical disabilities who want to play tennis without using a wheelchair.
A group of top players from across the Wheelchair, DHOH, PWII and Para Standing pathways will take part in an exhibition match on Kia Arena, giving fans a chance to see the world-class tennis played by these athletes. The group will include former world No.1 Dylan Alcott and renowned comedian and TV presenter Adam Hills who plays Para Standing Tennis.
“I think it’s fantastic that the Australian Open and Tennis Australia champion the sport for people with disabilities in such a big way and continue to expand their initiatives that make it possible for everyone to play,” former world no.1 Quad Wheelchair Player and 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott said.
“I can’t wait to be back on-site at the AO, showing fans the phenomenal level of tennis people with disabilities can play and hopefully encouraging young fans to get involved.”
All Abilities Day aligns with the beginning of the Wheelchair Tennis draw. At Australian Open 2024, the draw for the Quad Wheelchair competition will double from eight to 16, bringing it in line with the men’s and women’s open events.
The PWII and DHOH Championships will commence on Friday 26 January, including the top eight male and female players internationally in each disability group. Both events will showcase the top Australian players, including Archie Graham who won the men’s PWII Championship in 2023.
Throughout the Australian Open, there will be a broad range of inclusion and accessibility initiatives to ensure that all fans can enjoy everything the AO has to offer. These include:
- Way-finding technology and Action Audio for the blind and low vision community
- Sensory rooms and packs for the neurodiverse community
- Travelers Aid and wheelchair loan
- Sunflower Initiative for people with hidden disabilities
- Dedicated inclusion customer experience team
- Communication boards and social story
- Hearing loops
- Expanded all-gendered bathrooms
The Australian Open also partners with several workplace organisations to ensure it is consistently increasing the diversity of its workforce. Organisations involved with AO 2024 include Impact 21, Recruitable, The Field and Baldau Yioohgen.