Ivan Rodriguez Deb secures gold at the World Blind Tennis Championships

Ivan Rodriguez Deb won the B4 category at the World Blind Tennis Championships held last month in Vilnius, Lithuania. The 21-year-old from Watford maintained an undefeated record throughout the tournament, winning every match he played. Rodriguez Deb, who was born with Marfan Syndrome, credits his mother, Anita Deb, for introducing him to the sport when he was 13 years old. He also cited the support of his brother, coach Paul Seymour, and club member Stuart Burden as essential to his training and development. Visually impaired tennis utilizes a specialized foam ball containing a ball bearing to provide an audible signal for players as it moves across the court. The world title represents the culmination of nearly a decade of training for the GB number one, who previously relied on family assistance to overcome funding limitations in the sport.

• 11:05 AMYahoo Sports — Blind world tennis champion credits family for win