'This levels the playing field': Para-standing tennis on show at 2024 US Open

The sport consists of four classifications, PST-1 through PST-4, which signifies players with varying physical and cognitive disabilities—such as those who have cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, spinal cord injuries, congenital conditions, and short stature, or those who have suffered a stroke.

Patti Scrivano’s son, Danny Scrivano, suffered from a stroke at the age of two that left him completely paralyzed in one arm and partially paralyzed in one leg. Despite his disabilities, Scrivano played a variety of sports growing up, including basketball, football, and tennis. In every sport, he played alongside abled-bodies.

Para-standing tennis changed the game a bit, Patti Scrivano said. “[Danny’s] tennis game is very strong. But no matter what he does, he is never going to play with the pros who don't have disabilities.”

She added while proudly watching her son compete in singles at Friday’s invitational. “This levels the playing field.”

Danny Scrivano is a two-time world champion in his category (PST-3) and the European champion in his category, said his mother. “That would not happen without para-standing tennis.”

She commended the USTA for inviting such a diverse set of players. The eight competitors included players with cerebral palsy, amputations and congenital conditions.

Cindy Benzon of USTA Texas, who helped execute the event, agreed that many tennis players with disabilities only have opportunities to play against abled-bodies. Para-standing tennis is helping create space for differently-abled players.

“It’s educating people that anybody can play tennis no matter what disability they have—there is a way to figure it out,” Benzon said. “Tennis is adaptable enough that you can make the changes.”

While applause erupted for Jannik Sinner's semifinal win over Jack Draper in Arthur Ashe Stadium, cheers were also growing around the grounds as passersby stopped to watch the action.

After all, that’s the goal, explained Kevin Foster, who has worked closely with Benzon for many years and was a volunteer at Friday’s event.

“The biggest challenge is letting people know that it's available,” Foster said.