GB Tennis star misses out on deaf Olympics

Ethan Carter is back on court and rebuilding momentum after a frustrating six-month injury layoff that denied him the chance to represent Team GB at the Deaf Olympics in Tokyo.

The 18-year-old from Winchester, who trains at Swanmore Tennis Club, is regarded as one of Britain’s brightest deaf tennis prospects. Carter has previously reached a career-high world ranking of 36 and is currently ranked 50th globally, while sitting third in Great Britain.

However, a recurring hip injury struck at a crucial point in his development, preventing him from competing consistently and playing a key role in his absence from the Games.

Carter said: “It’s an injury I’ve dealt with before, but when it came back it meant I couldn’t perform at my best level. It was very frustrating not being able to compete in the deaf olympics but It’s just a part of the game.”

The setback forced Carter to step away from regular competition, but his focus has remained firmly on recovery. Regular physiotherapy and structured gym work have underpinned his rehabilitation, and he has now returned to consistent on-court training as he looks to regain form and confidence.

Despite his age, Carter already has an impressive CV. He has won a Deaf international doubles tournament and claimed the national deaf singles title, one of the standout achievements of his career. He has also represented Great Britain internationally, competing in Germany and Austria, as well as featuring in the deaf equivalent of the Davis Cup.

Carter said: “I started travelling to tournaments abroad when I was 15, representing Great Britain in the deaf equivalent of the Davis Cup is one of my proudest achievements”.

Funding remains a challenge, as it is for many athletes in disability sport, with financial limitations restricting the number of tournaments he has been able to enter. However, Carter believes support is beginning to improve, which could allow him to compete more regularly and climb back up the world rankings.

Now training pain-free, Carter’s immediate priority is a full return to international competition. Looking further ahead, his long-term focus is firmly fixed on the Deaf Olympics in Athens in 2029, as he aims to turn injury frustration into renewed motivation on the road back to the top.