What's the big difference between able-bodied tennis and wheelchair tennis?

The most common remark of all tennis players is: “The ball is allowed to bounce twice.”
If that was the only difference, it wouldn't be such a big switch for me as a trainer/coach between able-bodied tennis and wheelchair tennis.
Then there would probably be a lot more trainers for wheelchair tennis. But sadly enough it's not that simple.

For 10 years now I've been a fulltime trainer/coach of players, from beginners to world top, from juniors to 65+. I train some foreign players who don't have the facilities they need in their own country.
And still, I learn and develop myself  every day in this sport. Because there are so many aspects that  need attention and are still in their infancy.
Think about all the differences in a “disability”. What are you capable of instead of what not. That is different for every person, even with the same disability.
​

''Every day I learn and develop myself
​in this sport."

---

Points of interest in wheelchair tennis

Legwork/mobility (very important):
To position accurate to the bal.

Technique:
Is similar to able-bodied tennis.
Think about forehand topspin, backhand slice, side slice, service (topspin, kick)
These are all special techniques in able-bodied tennis that are only taught when basic technique is ok. But for wheelchair tennis these are the basic techniques.
Backhand reverse is not known in able-bodied tennis, with an exception for Berasategui (finalist Roland Garros 1994)

Tactics:
A switch in the last couple of years from chess tennis to power tennis.

Physical aspect:
Very important for a wheelchair tennis player.
Looking at stability, explosiveness, skills, velocity, flexibility, etc.

Able-bodied tennis players sprint to the ball (tension on the legs). During this running action they already bring the racket backwards to, without tension on the arms, hit the bal.
In the sport wheelchair the tennis player sprints to the ball (tension in the arms) and brings the racket backwards after releasing the hoop (what makes the wheelchair temporarily out of control). Whit still the tension on the arms the player tries to accelerate the racket blade as relaxed as possible.
On top of that the recovery to the middle, behind the baseline.
An able-bodied player keeps on looking forwards with the ball in sight, while returning with crossed or  joined steps.
In a sports wheelchair that's not possible.
The player turns positive or negative causing the ball to be behind the players' back for a short time:  the track of the ball is lost for a moment but picked up again by looking over the shoulder and continuing to play the rally.​
​​