This page provides up to date information as to how the coronavirus (Covid-19) and the latest government advice around it, relates to tennis activities in Britain and all those involved in delivering them.
Playing Tennis During Coronavirus Outbreak
We know how important it is for people to be active, and the particular role tennis can have in the physical and mental wellbeing of those that play it. By its very nature, tennis is an activity whereby close person to person contact can be avoided, with the UK Government saying tennis is a good example of an activity that can be undertaken in a way compliant with social distancing restrictions.
Local Restrictions
Links are provided below providing details of any local restrictions are in place in England, Scotland or Wales, and where there are any specific implications for taking part in tennis activity this is specified.
However, anyone taking part in tennis activity should be aware of whether they are in an area with local restrictions, and if so what the restrictions are as they may impact on aspects of the activity beyond the tennis court, such as travel or restrictions on socialising with people outside of your household around the tennis venue (e.g in venue clubhouses).
England - Return to Play (updated 24 September)
Following guidance published by the Government for the phased return of sport and recreation, the LTA has developed an updated set of practical guidelines for venues, coaches, players and officials/competitions. Key additions and updates to the guidelines have been clearly marked on the pdfs, including what dates they apply from where applicable.
This version of the guidance has been updated to provide clarity on indoor group activity after the Government announced tighter restrictions for indoor sports activity, as well to include new specific guidelines for disability tennis activity to support the resumption of the LTA's Open Court programme, guidance for venues on how to deal with a positive case and updated guidelines for venues providing hospitality. In relation to indoor group tennis activity, from Thursday 24 September:
- Organised indoor group tennis activity for adults (including coached sessions and club nights held indoors) can take place in larger numbers in COVID-19 secure venues, provided it is organised into sub-groups of no more than six people (excluding coaches) - these sub-groups should stay separate and not mix for the duration of the session. There is an exemption for activity for disabled people, which can take place in any number, and organised group indoor activity for children is unaffected by this change and can continue as before in line with the limits for outdoors
Please note, since initial publication, we have updated the Coach guidance to provide further clarity on organised indoor group activity.
These guidelines apply to tennis as well as padel, and outline adaptations and considerations so that tennis and associated activity can be enjoyed in a way that is in line with Government advice and helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They include measures to maintain hygiene and minimise unnecessary interactions with others.
These guidelines apply to England only, and have been produced to help venues, coaches, players and officials operate in line with the Government guidance. The full guidelines can be downloaded below – please ensure you read the relevant guidelines in full:
If you have any questions please refer to our FAQs.
Local Restrictions (updated 21 September 2020)
A list of areas in England affected and the rules in place for these can be read on the Gov.uk website:
Specific implications for tennis activity are listed below:
- In specified areas of Bradford, indoor gyms and indoor sports courts and facilities must remain closed
- In specified areas of the North East of England and the North West of England, spectating should not take place at tennis activity. Supervision however, can continue, and so where attendance of a parent/guardian (non-participant) is required, or a carer for a disabled player, it is permitted, but should be off court and limited to one per player where possible
- In specified areas of Blackburn with Darwen, Oldham and Pendle, Bolton, Leicester, Greater Manchester, the North of England, the North East of England amd West Yorkshire, people taking part in tennis activity should not socialise with people from other households before or after playing tennis
Other than the above exceptions, tennis activity in areas of England with local restrictions may continue as it previously did so and as is permitted elsewhere in England, subject to it being done so in line with the LTA guidelines for players, venues, coaches and competitions.
Anyone taking part in or running tennis activity should however be aware of whether they are in an area with local restrictions, and if so what the restrictions are as they may impact on aspects of the activity beyond the tennis court, such as restrictions on travel, clubhouse bar opening times etc.
Scotland - Return to Play (updated 11 September 2020)
Tennis activity can take place in Scotland, with guidelines in place. This follows the Scottish Government’s confirmation of the route map from lockdown and subsequent updates from the First Minister as Scotland progresses with a staged approach to exiting from lockdown.
The LTA and Tennis Scotland have developed an updated set of practical guidelines for tennis venues, coaches and players to follow so that tennis can be played in Scotland in a way consistent with the route map for moving out of lockdown, where the local environment allows.
This third edition of the Phase 3 guidelines was published on 11 September to provide clarity that limits to group sizes for social gatherings do not apply to organised group tennis activity. However, normal physical distancing and household number guidelines are applicable before and after playing tennis or when taking breaks. In line with previous discussions with the Scottish Government and sportscotland, the LTA and Tennis Scotland are pleased to confirm that group sizes for tennis activity for adults therefore remain as being up to a limit of 30, and that from 31 August 2020 indoor tennis courts will be able to reopen, subject to following the required guidance. Additional information has been included in these updated guidelines covering inclusion, Test & Protect and face coverings.
Please click the link below to download the full guidelines:
If you have any questions please refer to our FAQs.
Local Restrictions (updated 8 September 2020)
A list of areas in Scotland affected and the rules in place for these can be read on the Scottish Government website:
There are currently no implications specifically for tennis activity.
Wales - Return to Play (updated 25 September)
Tennis Wales and the LTA have worked with the Welsh Government and Welsh Sports Association to publish updated detailed guidance for venues, coaches and players, so that tennis can be played safely in Wales, where the local environment allows.
Please note, these guidelines (Version 5.1) were updated on 25 September to include further guidance around key changes, including;
- New indoor court limits
- Prohibition of competition ‘waves’ on the same day – in effect competitions now have to run within the 30 group limit with dedicated officials. Officials cannot administer more than one group on the same day simultaneously or consecutively
- No spectators permitted at competitions and events other than parents, guardians or carers
- Updated details relating to the new licencing curfew
- Information on the introduction of NHS Covid-19 App and its support to Test, Trace, Protect
Venues, coaches and players are all encouraged to read the updated guidance carefully, and take any necessary time to implement them.
Resources remain available for tennis venues and coaches to help with opening up, including Clubspark webinars for online court booking and Covid-19 risk assessment templates.
Both Tennis Wales and the LTA look forward to continuing to work with all involved in the sport to open it up to more people.
Local Restrictions (updated 21 September)
A list of areas in Wales affected and the rules in place for these can be read on the Welsh Government website:
Specific inplications for tennis activity include:
- People living in the areas of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport or Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) can now only play tennis in that area. People in all of these areas cannot travel to other local authorities to play tennis
- People living outside of these areas cannot travel into theese areas to play tennis
- People cannot meet people from other households in club houses
SERVES
To support the resumption of the LTA's SERVES programme that takes tennis to new people and places, alongside the main country-specific guidance detailed above, the LTA has produced a summary of key things for venues and organsiations delivering SERVES tennis activity to consider:
Open Court
To support the resumption of the LTA's Open Court disability tennis programme, alongside the main country-specific guidance detailed above, the LTA has produced a summary of key things for venues and organsiations delivering disability tennis activity to consider:
Find a court
Please be aware that not all courts may be open. Venues will need to make an assessment based on whether they can facilitate safe play at their venue. Where they chose to remain closed please respect this decision.
In addition, some courts may take time to be unlocked and prepared for use following the closure during the lockdown period.
Click the button below to find your nearest tennis court.
Find a court
Venue Resources
Resources for venues in England, Scotland and Wales can be downloaded from the LTA Venue Support Resource Library - including infographics, posters and a risk assessment template.
FAQs
For answers to frequently asked questions for players, venues and coaches around the guidelines for a return to restricted play, please visit the LTA Help Centre:
National Tennis Centre
The National Tennis Centre reopened on Friday 15 May for Great Britain's elite players to return to training on a controlled basis.
Read more here.
Further information
The following pages also provide up to date, more detailed and specific advice, and answers to questions, relating to: