The confirmation of the Australian Open, taking place from 8-21 February, sets up the beginning of an action-packed year for the sport, which will see the return of the world’s best players at the biggest tournaments.

With so much to look forward to in 2021, we run through the top five reasons why British tennis fans should be excited this year.

1. Wimbledon returns

The highlight in any tennis fan or players calendar, The Championships will make an eagerly anticipated return in 2021.

After the coronavirus pandemic forced the All England Lawn Tennis Club to cancel last year’s event, the organisers have already announced that Grand Slam tennis will return to SW19 at the end of June.

As always, this year’s Championships are guaranteed to be filled with breath-taking action and dramatic storylines. From Roger Federer’s quest for a ninth Wimbledon title, Andy Murray’s homecoming, and Serena Williams bid to become the most decorated women’s player of all-time, there’s plenty to look forward to.

2. Great Britain take centre stage at the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup

It’s time to #BackTheBrits once again this year as the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup make a return to the tennis calendar.

On 16-17 April, Great Britain’s top female stars will take on Mexico in their Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Play-Off tie, with a place in the 2022 finals qualifying round up for grabs. British Captain, Anne Keothavong and her team will also have home advantage, as they compete on British soil for the first time since their historic win over Kazakhstan at London’s Copper Box in 2019.

Fast-forward to 22-28 November and yet again fans will be treated to some British team tennis action at the Davis Cup Finals by Rakuten. After their semi-final run in 2019, the Brits return to Madrid with their eyes on the main prize and with a strong line-up of talent to choose from, including Dan Evans, Kyle Edmund, Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie, plus others.

3. Going for Gold at Tokyo 2021

One of the most sought after titles in any tennis player’s career is the Olympic or Parlympic gold medal. To become a gold medallist is to join an exclusive group of champions and heading to Tokyo in 2021, a number of Brits will have glory in their sights.

At Rio 2016, Andy Murray made history, becoming the first and only player ever to win two gold medals in back-to-back Olympic Games. The burning question on everyone’s lips will be, can the Brit go one further and win a record third title in Tokyo? Only time will tell...

Elsewhere Great Britain will be looking to the likes of Johanna Konta, Heather Watson, Dan Evans, and the many world-class doubles stars to bring home the medals for Team GB.

At the 2016 Paralympics Team GB pulled in an impressive haul of six medals – one gold, three silver and two bronze. Gordon Reid will be looking to defend his singles title with silver medallist Alfie Hewett hot on his heels, while Andy Lapthorne, Jordanne Whiley and Lucy Shuker all aim to repeat their success in Tokyo.

4. Britain’s rising stars

One of the shining lights of 2020 was that we got a glimpse of some of Great Britain’s next generation of stars at a number of British events.

After getting a call up to the Billie Jean King Cup squad at the beginning of the year, Emma Raducanu showed everyone exactly why she’s one of the biggest prospects in British tennis. The 18-year-old – who won the LTA British Tour Masters – was one of the stars of the summer, along with fellow Brit Jodie Burrage. Rising star Francesca Jones qualified for next month's Australian Open too and will be another one to watch this year. 

On the men’s side, World No.303 Jack Draper is on his way back from injury and only last month picked up the best result of his career, beating Cameron Norrie at the Battle of the Brits Premier League of Tennis. However, it was young Anton Matusevich who took the title at the end of last year and will certainly be one to keep an eye on.

Further afield, Arthur Fery is a name to remember for the future – the 18-year-old won an impressive five British Tour titles in 2020.

Two other young players returning from injury with aspirations of making waves in 2021 are Paul Jubb and Katie Swan, who are widely renowned as some of Britain’s brightest talents.

Britain’s Ben Bartram was recently named the World No.1 junior wheelchair tennis player and looks set to push on from some brilliant results at the Wheelchair Team Battle in December.

5. Doubles delight

With stars like Jamie Murray, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, it’s easy to see why Britain has become renowned for producing some of the best doubles stars in the world. In 2020 Salisbury and his partner Rajeev Ram won the Australian Open men’s doubles title and reached World No.2 as a duo.

This year, Murray will reunite with former partner Bruno Soares, with whom he won both his previous Grand Slam men’s doubles titles, while brothers Neal and Ken Skupski will also join forces again in 2021.

On the women’s side, it will be exciting to see how a number of players such as Sarah Beth Grey, Naomi Broady and Eden Silva continue to progress in the doubles game, as well as British doubles No.1, Heather Watson.

The dynamic duo of Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett will be hoping to continue their incredible run of Grand Slam performances after winning all three events as a team in 2020. Jordanne Whiley will also return with Japanese partner Yui Kamiji after the two clinched titles at both the Australian Open and US Open last year. Needless to say, it’s exciting times for British wheelchair tennis!