As world number one in the B4 category of blind and low vision tennis. Ross Patterson and Grace Hobbs are superstars in their own right. They recently took part in All Abilities Day at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park, featuring a showcase of blind and low vision tennis recorded by channel nine to all audiences around Australia. Ross Grace, thank you so much for your time today. Welcome to Talking Vision.

As world number one in the B4 category of blind and low vision tennis. Ross Patterson and Grace Hobbs are superstars in their own right. They recently took part in All Abilities Day at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park, featuring a showcase of blind and low vision tennis recorded by channel nine to all audiences around Australia. Ross Grace, thank you so much for your time today. Welcome to Talking Vision.

Thanks for having us, Sam.

Thanks for having us, Sam.

Yeah, thank you for having us.

Yeah, thank you for having us.

Now, firstly, Ross, I might start with you. How long have you been playing blind tennis? And how did you get into this sport?

Now, firstly, Ross, I might start with you. How long have you been playing blind tennis? And how did you get into this sport?

I started tennis at the age of 11, and that was regular felt ball tennis and played a lot. It was my dream to be a professional tennis player. That became increasingly challenging and probably about five years ago I embarked on a Google search to find if there were any tennis options for people with low vision. I came across blind low vision. Come and try day in Victoria. I went to that and haven't looked back since.

I started tennis at the age of 11, and that was regular felt ball tennis and played a lot. It was my dream to be a professional tennis player. That became increasingly challenging and probably about five years ago I embarked on a Google search to find if there were any tennis options for people with low vision. I came across blind low vision. Come and try day in Victoria. I went to that and haven't looked back since.

And Grace, how about you? What's the story behind how you got into tennis and how long you've been playing?

And Grace, how about you? What's the story behind how you got into tennis and how long you've been playing?

Pretty similar. Ross. My mum had researched blind tennis, based in Sydney, and there was a local centre near me who had done some classes, and that was basically just before Covid and been playing ever since.

Pretty similar. Ross. My mum had researched blind tennis, based in Sydney, and there was a local centre near me who had done some classes, and that was basically just before Covid and been playing ever since.

Okay, well, and Ross, I'll come back to you and if you're comfortable, would you mind sort of sharing which category that you compete in, in blind and low vision tennis and also your vision condition?

Okay, well, and Ross, I'll come back to you and if you're comfortable, would you mind sort of sharing which category that you compete in, in blind and low vision tennis and also your vision condition?

No problem at all. I have retinitis pigmentosa, so I see the world through a tunnel. I'm in the B4 category, which means that I play with the same ball that all the other categories do. The court dimensions for B2, B3, and B4 are all the same. The only difference is that I get one bounce, whereas B3 get two and B2 get three bounces.

No problem at all. I have retinitis pigmentosa, so I see the world through a tunnel. I'm in the B4 category, which means that I play with the same ball that all the other categories do. The court dimensions for B2, B3, and B4 are all the same. The only difference is that I get one bounce, whereas B3 get two and B2 get three bounces.

Okay. And Grace, I'll come to you now.

Okay. And Grace, I'll come to you now.

Uh, yes. I'm also a B4 player as well, so I'm only allowed one bounce. And I also have usher Syndrome. Which division side is written as pigmentosa?

Uh, yes. I'm also a B4 player as well, so I'm only allowed one bounce. And I also have usher Syndrome. Which division side is written as pigmentosa?

Okay, now I'm keen to hear about the range of tournaments that you've both competed in over the years. Um, including the 2024 Ibta World Championships. And you know, Australia has had some great success there. Um, and the two of you are no exception, taking home gold medals yourselves. So, Ross, I'll come to you. What was that like to compete for Australia and take home those gold medals and spending that time at, um, number one in the world and all that sort of thing? You're sort of there to be. Everyone's there to beat you, but you overcame that. What's all that been like?

Okay, now I'm keen to hear about the range of tournaments that you've both competed in over the years. Um, including the 2024 Ibta World Championships. And you know, Australia has had some great success there. Um, and the two of you are no exception, taking home gold medals yourselves. So, Ross, I'll come to you. What was that like to compete for Australia and take home those gold medals and spending that time at, um, number one in the world and all that sort of thing? You're sort of there to be. Everyone's there to beat you, but you overcame that. What's all that been like?

It's been absolutely amazing. You dream when you're playing sport, and you're competing at a high level is to represent your country. And last year, Grace and I had the opportunity to represent Australia for the first time at the Ipsa World Games, which is held every four years. It's like the Olympics of blind sport. We were very successful, both of us taking away two gold there as well. So we've been number one in the world now for well over a year. And what does it feel like? It feels great, but you know that there are the competitors that are training hard, are wanting to win gold at the next international event, wanting to be world number one. So that gives us a lot of motivation to stay focused, to train hard. I don't want to give up that spot any time in the distant future, and I'll continue to work hard as I can. But to represent Australia and be supported by Tennis Australia, the way we have has been really special.

It's been absolutely amazing. You dream when you're playing sport, and you're competing at a high level is to represent your country. And last year, Grace and I had the opportunity to represent Australia for the first time at the Ipsa World Games, which is held every four years. It's like the Olympics of blind sport. We were very successful, both of us taking away two gold there as well. So we've been number one in the world now for well over a year. And what does it feel like? It feels great, but you know that there are the competitors that are training hard, are wanting to win gold at the next international event, wanting to be world number one. So that gives us a lot of motivation to stay focused, to train hard. I don't want to give up that spot any time in the distant future, and I'll continue to work hard as I can. But to represent Australia and be supported by Tennis Australia, the way we have has been really special.

And Grace, I'll come to you now. What's it been like for you as somebody who is also, as Ross said, number one in the world and taking home gold on the world stage. That must be an amazing feeling.

And Grace, I'll come to you now. What's it been like for you as somebody who is also, as Ross said, number one in the world and taking home gold on the world stage. That must be an amazing feeling.

Oh it is. It's really amazing an experience to go overseas and compete for my country and wear the green and gold that all the other Australians get to wear. And, um, no, it was it's been an amazing experience. And also being able to meet other people, competitors from across the world.

Oh it is. It's really amazing an experience to go overseas and compete for my country and wear the green and gold that all the other Australians get to wear. And, um, no, it was it's been an amazing experience. And also being able to meet other people, competitors from across the world.

And Ross, growing up, in your wildest dreams could you have expected to, you know, be able to travel the world and do something you love like this? Like competing in tennis and taking home gold medals, traveling around to amazing places like Italy and all that sort of thing. I guess more broadly, what's that experience been like?

And Ross, growing up, in your wildest dreams could you have expected to, you know, be able to travel the world and do something you love like this? Like competing in tennis and taking home gold medals, traveling around to amazing places like Italy and all that sort of thing. I guess more broadly, what's that experience been like?

Well, it was certainly my dream when I was younger, and then I gave up on that dream not knowing that I had an invisible disability. To have that opportunity now is really special and something I cherish to be able to travel interstate to compete in state and national tournaments, and to compete now internationally in places such as Italy in the UK. Prior to that, we're not quite sure where it will be this year. It's wonderful, it's life changing and it gives us goals to aspire to and passions outside of, perhaps. Well, for me, employment, my work and also my family and grace.

Well, it was certainly my dream when I was younger, and then I gave up on that dream not knowing that I had an invisible disability. To have that opportunity now is really special and something I cherish to be able to travel interstate to compete in state and national tournaments, and to compete now internationally in places such as Italy in the UK. Prior to that, we're not quite sure where it will be this year. It's wonderful, it's life changing and it gives us goals to aspire to and passions outside of, perhaps. Well, for me, employment, my work and also my family and grace.

I'll come to you now. And what does it mean to you to be able to live this life that you want and compete in tennis at an international level and travel around and meet so many new people and have all these lifelong, unforgettable experiences?

I'll come to you now. And what does it mean to you to be able to live this life that you want and compete in tennis at an international level and travel around and meet so many new people and have all these lifelong, unforgettable experiences?

Well, absolutely. It's a lot of memories that I'll remember for the rest of my life. You know, meeting new people from competitors across the world and learning about their experiences of their with their vision and how they lived their life. Some of them work, and some of them have travelled the world by themselves, even with their vision loss. And it's. Yeah. It's an amazing it is really amazing.

Well, absolutely. It's a lot of memories that I'll remember for the rest of my life. You know, meeting new people from competitors across the world and learning about their experiences of their with their vision and how they lived their life. Some of them work, and some of them have travelled the world by themselves, even with their vision loss. And it's. Yeah. It's an amazing it is really amazing.

Let's fast forward a bit to just the past few days and all Abilities day on Tuesday the 21st of January at the Australian Open in Melbourne Park. So Ross, what was that like for you heading along to All Abilities Day, hanging out with all the wonderful crew from Tennis Australia and having a hit with Grace, and also a special guest who will mention in here as well.

Let's fast forward a bit to just the past few days and all Abilities day on Tuesday the 21st of January at the Australian Open in Melbourne Park. So Ross, what was that like for you heading along to All Abilities Day, hanging out with all the wonderful crew from Tennis Australia and having a hit with Grace, and also a special guest who will mention in here as well.

I love All Abilities Day. It was my third All Abilities day where I've had quite a bit of involvement and to start the day on Margaret Court with the tennis community. Showcasing the sport was a really special way to start the day. Grace and I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Dylan Alcott and Friends exhibition, where we were able to share the court with some absolutely outstanding players in the area of Paris standing deaf, hard hearing, and ID along with Dylan in the wheelie category, and then to spend the afternoon on the padel court with Ariarne Titmus. What a genuine person. What an inspiration in terms of the success she's had in swimming, and to showcase the sport with her and to teach her the basics was really special.

I love All Abilities Day. It was my third All Abilities day where I've had quite a bit of involvement and to start the day on Margaret Court with the tennis community. Showcasing the sport was a really special way to start the day. Grace and I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Dylan Alcott and Friends exhibition, where we were able to share the court with some absolutely outstanding players in the area of Paris standing deaf, hard hearing, and ID along with Dylan in the wheelie category, and then to spend the afternoon on the padel court with Ariarne Titmus. What a genuine person. What an inspiration in terms of the success she's had in swimming, and to showcase the sport with her and to teach her the basics was really special.

And Grace, what was the day like for you? What was sort of your favourite moments and all that sort of thing?

And Grace, what was the day like for you? What was sort of your favourite moments and all that sort of thing?

Well, one of my, probably one of my highlights would have been being able to play on Kia Arena for the all ability celebrity match and being able to play alongside some of the others who play in the other disabilities. That was amazing. But I think the other one was when Ariana managed to hit a ball on with a blindfold, and I think that was pretty impressive.

Well, one of my, probably one of my highlights would have been being able to play on Kia Arena for the all ability celebrity match and being able to play alongside some of the others who play in the other disabilities. That was amazing. But I think the other one was when Ariana managed to hit a ball on with a blindfold, and I think that was pretty impressive.

Certainly was. And it's great to see these absolute huge figures on the Olympic stage, such as Ariana Titmus getting around things like blind and low vision tennis and heading along and having those experiences and, you know, showing people around Australia what blind and low vision tennis is all about. So that's a fantastic spectacle, I suppose you'd call it, for, you know, blind and low vision tennis to really get on the map and all that sort of thing. So if people out there, you know, are perhaps umming and ahhing, they might have a vision condition and they might thinking, oh, am I, you know, am I good enough to go and play a sport or I don't know if I can play tennis or I don't know if my vision will hold up or I don't know if you know this is the right thing for me. What sort of message would you have for those people out there who maybe aren't quite sure of their abilities and they might have been experiencing vision loss, or they might just not have heaps of confidence with sports or, you know, exercise or things like that. For us.

Certainly was. And it's great to see these absolute huge figures on the Olympic stage, such as Ariana Titmus getting around things like blind and low vision tennis and heading along and having those experiences and, you know, showing people around Australia what blind and low vision tennis is all about. So that's a fantastic spectacle, I suppose you'd call it, for, you know, blind and low vision tennis to really get on the map and all that sort of thing. So if people out there, you know, are perhaps umming and ahhing, they might have a vision condition and they might thinking, oh, am I, you know, am I good enough to go and play a sport or I don't know if I can play tennis or I don't know if my vision will hold up or I don't know if you know this is the right thing for me. What sort of message would you have for those people out there who maybe aren't quite sure of their abilities and they might have been experiencing vision loss, or they might just not have heaps of confidence with sports or, you know, exercise or things like that. For us.

My advice would be to give it a go. It's an extremely accessible sport. The community are Unbelievably supportive. For me, it was a game changer in terms of being able to access tennis. I love tennis and to be able to be introduced to a new community who have all have vision challenges, and to be able to share our journey just creates a new support network. So for me, it is. Sign up, get to the next come and try day. And if you're not sure where that is, reach out to your state tennis body or Tennis Australia and they'll be able to guide you in the right direction.

My advice would be to give it a go. It's an extremely accessible sport. The community are Unbelievably supportive. For me, it was a game changer in terms of being able to access tennis. I love tennis and to be able to be introduced to a new community who have all have vision challenges, and to be able to share our journey just creates a new support network. So for me, it is. Sign up, get to the next come and try day. And if you're not sure where that is, reach out to your state tennis body or Tennis Australia and they'll be able to guide you in the right direction.

Okay. And Grace, I'll come to you. Now, what sort of message would you have for people out there who might want to have a go, but they're not quite sure and they don't really know where to head to or where to begin.

Okay. And Grace, I'll come to you. Now, what sort of message would you have for people out there who might want to have a go, but they're not quite sure and they don't really know where to head to or where to begin.

I always give the message just to come and try, just pick up the racquet and hit the ball. You know, just give it a go. And also just to meet other people that you know, who could be in the same position as you. You're not. Sometimes you're not the only one. You're not the only one. And, um, you could meet some new people and learn from experiences.

I always give the message just to come and try, just pick up the racquet and hit the ball. You know, just give it a go. And also just to meet other people that you know, who could be in the same position as you. You're not. Sometimes you're not the only one. You're not the only one. And, um, you could meet some new people and learn from experiences.

Well, I've been speaking today with Ross Patterson and Grace Hobbs, both absolute legends in the Australian blind and low vision tennis space. Here to chat to me about their recent experiences at the All Abilities Day at the Australian Open in 2025. Ross Grace, thank you so much for your time today. It was great to catch up with you and chat about blind and low vision tennis.

Well, I've been speaking today with Ross Patterson and Grace Hobbs, both absolute legends in the Australian blind and low vision tennis space. Here to chat to me about their recent experiences at the All Abilities Day at the Australian Open in 2025. Ross Grace, thank you so much for your time today. It was great to catch up with you and chat about blind and low vision tennis.

My pleasure. Thanks so much, Sam.

My pleasure. Thanks so much, Sam.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And we've got a special little cameo now. It's Camille Russo from Tennis Australia to give us a few details about how people can get in touch and play some blind and low vision tennis. Camille.

And we've got a special little cameo now. It's Camille Russo from Tennis Australia to give us a few details about how people can get in touch and play some blind and low vision tennis. Camille.

Yes. That's right. So to find out more about blind and low vision tennis, go on the tennis. Com.au website and visit the Blind and Low Vision page and you'll be able to find how to get started, the events, all the different things on in the calendar year. All things blind and low vision tennis.

Yes. That's right. So to find out more about blind and low vision tennis, go on the tennis. Com.au website and visit the Blind and Low Vision page and you'll be able to find how to get started, the events, all the different things on in the calendar year. All things blind and low vision tennis.