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 Lockdown
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.
Leicester local lockdown update (1 July 2020)
The Government has published details of restrictions for the Leicester local lockdown, which are now in place pending a review from 18 July – further information on these and the area affected can be read on the Gov.uk website. The LTA remains in dialogue with Government and local authorities, but can provide the following current advice for those venues, coaches and players affected.
- The local lockdown measures do not currently require tennis venues to close, and so for the time being they can remain open and continue to operate
- Clubhouses and restaurants/bars for all venues in the affected area should however not now reopen on Saturday and should remain closed until the end of the local lockdown period, while those who are shielding should continue to not take part in tennis activity
- It is advised that players should not travel either into or out of the local lockdown area to play tennis
- As the LTA relaxes guidance for venues, coaches and players more generally with Version 3 of the guidelines for tennis now published, those within the lockdown area should not make changes reflecting this and instead continue to operate in line with the previous Version 2 of the guidelines introduced at the beginning of June (accessible here for venues, coaches and players)
Please be aware that this advice may change at short notice, and while tennis activity can currently continue further restrictions may yet be imposed.
England - Return to Managed Play (Version 3 - published 1 July)
Following the Prime Minister’s statement on 23 June and the subsequent updated guidance published by the Government on 30 June for the phased return of sport and recreation, the LTA has worked to develop an updated set of practical guidelines for venues, coaches and players. Key additions and updates to the guidelines have been clearly marked on the pdfs, including what dates they apply from where applicable.
These guidelines apply to both tennis and 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 and players operate in line with the Government guidance. The full guidelines can be downloaded below – please ensure you read the relevant guidelines in full:
While there are no significant changes to the core aspects of the guidelines, there are a number of updates venues, coaches and players should familiarise themselves with, including the relaxation of some of the previous precautionary measures, as well as new opportunities such as the reopening of clubhouses and bars from 4 July. However, the maximum size of groups will remain at no more than six people, and indoor changing facilities and sports courts should remain closed.
The LTA remains in continued dialogue with Government, and we anticipate larger groups being permitted and indoor tennis courts being able to reopen as restrictions are further eased. The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has indicated that subject to public health, it is the Government’s aspiration to reopen indoor gyms and leisure facilities in mid-July.
We will share further updates with regards to the easing of restrictions as decisions are made, and ask that until that time venues and players remain patient and follow the guidelines that are in place.
Players are asked to be patient with venues and coaches as they take the necessary time to safely implement the guidelines in a way appropriate for their own circumstances.
If you have any questions please refer to our FAQs.
Wales - Return to Restricted Play
UPDATE (19 June): Following our continued dialogue, the Welsh Government have announced that tennis courts will be able to re-open and the sport will be able to resume, subject to certain restrictions, from Monday 22 June.
Tennis Wales and the LTA have published detailed guidance for venues, coaches and players, so that tennis in Wales is able to safely resume. The guidelines are accessible via the link below to the LTA’s dedicated coronavirus advice page, as well as via the Tennis Wales website. We encourage you to read these guidelines carefully, and take any necessary time to implement them properly before resuming play.
Resources are available for tennis venues and coaches to help with opening up, including Clubspark webinars for online court booking and Covid-19 risk assessment templates.
This is positive news for tennis in Wales, 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 following safe resumption of tennis activity.
Scotland - Return to Restricted Play (updated)
Tennis activity can take place in Scotland on a restricted basis, with guidelines in place. This follows the Scottish Government’s confirmation of the route map from lockdown and the announcement from the First Minister on Thursday 28 May, and the subsequent announcement from the First Minister that Scotland will move to phase 2 of the route map from Friday, 19 June with a staged approach.
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. The full guidelines can be downloaded below - these were updated on 26 June to reflect changes relevent to venues and coaches to permit access to indoor (non-office) places of work from Monday 29 June:
If you have any questions please refer to our FAQs.
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: