'On the court you are by yourself and feel less pressure,' young Japanese Australian player Arato enjoys the independence of playing Blind Tennis

Sydney-based blind tennis player Arato Katsuda-Green was diagnosed with Stargardt disease when he was 9 years old. He had been training to become a professional player and gradually switched to Blind Tennis after the diagnosis. Now, Arato is one of the finest blind tennis players in Australia and has already won multiple national titles.

Young tennis player Arato Katsuda-Green was diagnosed with Stargardt disease when he was 9 years old. Arato started playing blind tennis and has won multiple national titles in Australia since. Credit: Tennis Australia/SBS

According to Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI), one in 20 children faces a birth defect or genetic diseases such as cancer and cystic fibrosis.

CMRI has run its fundraising campaign 'Jeans for Genes' in Australia for 30 years. This year's Jeans for Genes Day is August 2nd. Arato has been a part of this initiative as a ambassador.

Arato turns 13 years old this year - four years paseed since the diagnosis. In the audio, Arato and his Japanese mum Junko Katsuda talk about the their lives and Stargardt disease.

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