Naqi’s journey is a great example of what can happen when talent meets opportunity and support
Naqi Rizvi has added another major achievement to an already impressive tennis career, winning silver in the B1 men’s singles at the 2026 IBTA World Championships in Vilnius, Lithuania.
He also won gold in the B1 men’s doubles alongside Australia’s Isaiah Muller.
Story
Naqi’s route into visually impaired tennis is unusual. He was born and raised in South Asia to a Pakistani father and Indian mother and grew up with limited sight due to congenital glaucoma. He lost his sight completely by the age of seven. Despite this, Naqi went on to study engineering at undergraduate and master’s level before working in engineering and financial services.
It wasn’t until he moved to London in 2015 that he discovered visually impaired sport.
“I wanted to try all VI sports as I didn’t have much access to any adapted sport growing up other than blind cricket,” Naqi explained.
He discovered Metro Blind Sport and began trying different sports. Then he stepped onto a tennis court. “As soon as I stepped on a tennis court, I fell in love.”
Naqi had never seen or played tennis before. He started from scratch, learning the technical and mental side of the game as well as the rules. What he found particularly special about tennis was the freedom it gave him.
“On court, I am free to run around without a cane or guide and that feeling of freedom is unreal.”
Journey
Since those early days, Naqi has gone on to become one of the leading players in visually impaired tennis. He has won World and European Championship titles and reached the top of the IBTA B1 world rankings. His latest World Championship performance adds two more medals to that record.
Naqi has also spoken openly about the challenges that come with losing his sight and the importance of changing perceptions around disability.
“The lack of sight didn’t translate to a lack of vision,” he said in an interview in 2024, reflecting on his upbringing, education and career.
He also described the importance of helping people understand that disability is not the same as inability.
That message is reflected in Naqi’s involvement with Middlesex Tennis. As well as receiving support through the Middlesex Tennis Performance Foundation, he has helped support the development of visually impaired tennis in the county, including the launch of VI tennis at Parsons Green Sports and Social Club.
The Performance Foundation provides financial and wider support to athletes, including help with equipment, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, parental guidance and subsidised county training.
For Naqi, tennis is about more than competition.
“Playing sports makes me more resilient as I face a lot of challenges,” he said. “I know that winning and losing are part of life but what’s more important is how you are as a human being.”
He also recognises the wider impact that VI tennis can have, giving people a sense of purpose, achievement, social connection and belonging.
Performance Foundation applications opening soon
Middlesex Tennis is currently finalising the application process for the next round of Performance Foundation grants, with applications expected to open soon.
The Foundation supports junior players, young adults and disability and inclusion athletes who are developing their performance and have the potential to progress further.
If you’re a Middlesex player looking to take the next step in your tennis, keep an eye on the Middlesex Tennis website and social channels for details of when applications open.
Naqi’s own journey began with trying a new sport after arriving in London. Today, he is competing for World Championship medals.
For more information about the Performance Foundation, contact:
Martin Etheridge
Inclusion Lead, Middlesex Tennis
martin.etheridge@middlesextennis.org.uk
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