The course, entitled "Introduction to Coaching Players with Intellectual Disabilities", has been uploaded to ITF Academy, the governing body's online learning platform.

It was developed using expertise from both organisations, with contributors including ITF development officer for Central America Cecilia Ancalmo, Special Olympics International director of coaching and education Fiona Murray, Special Olympics Brazil director of sports Teresa Leitao, and Nancy Hoekstra, who chairs the Special Olympics Tennis Sport Resource Committee.

"The course is an outstanding and extremely significant achievement because more coaches will know about Special Olympics tennis and will be able to spread the knowledge to other coaches and giving more opportunities to other athletes," Leitao said.

"Thanks ITF, and the whole team involved in this course."

Since the course launched last week, more than 390 users have registered to take part.

Access to the ITF Academy website is free during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding in 2016, Special Olympics and the ITF have worked together to provide more tennis opportunities for people with and without an intellectual disability.

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with Special Olympics, and hope that tennis coaches across the world will see the latest ITF Academy course as a valuable resource," said Luca Santilli, ITF executive director for tennis development.

"Those involved in the production of the course have a huge amount of expertise in coaching tennis players with intellectual disabilities and we are grateful to them for sharing their knowledge and experience. 

"We look forward to further developing our relationship with Special Olympics in future."