Winter tennis competitions
The summer months may be behind us but that doesn’t mean it’s time to hang up your tennis racket until next year.
Tennis is a great way to stay active and social throughout the colder, darker months but if you want to keep the competitive spirit high, why not sign up to a winter tennis competition.
So, dust off your winter tennis clothes and get ready to take to the court as we run through some key adjustments you might want to make to your sessions in the winter and our suggestions for competing in winter tennis competitions and leagues.
Tennis tips for playing in the winter:
- Wear the right winter tennis attire – Good tennis shoes are essential in all weathers but especially in the winter months when the court conditions are colder and more slippery, so make sure you have a good grip on your shoes. Wearing layers that are warm but breathable, which can be added or removed during sessions, is essential for playing tennis in the winter.
- Adapt your warm-up routine – Warming up is key all-year round but even more so during the cold weather seasons. Your muscles and joints need extra attention in the winter to avoid strains and injuries, so carrying out a thorough warm-up is crucial.
- Make sure you’ve got enough (and the right) equipment – With the winter bringing the wet weather in, your equipment might start to feel a bit different. Tennis balls and rackets in particular can easily become wet and make playing tennis slightly more challenging. Make sure you have a sturdy racket grip and avoid using dead balls so you can perform better in the cold temperatures.
To find out more about what tennis equipment you should be using in the winter, click below:
Now, let’s take a look at a few different winter tennis leagues you can join over the next few months.
Winter tennis leagues: Sign up to a Barclays Local Tennis League
If you want to get some singles matches under your belt in the winter, Barclays Local Tennis Leagues is just for you.
These fun and friendly leagues encourage you to meet new people, improve your game and compete at a park tennis court near you at a time that suits you.
One of the best things about Barclays Local Tennis Leagues is it doesn’t matter if you’ve never competed before – we help you find a tennis opponent using your ITF World Tennis Number, so you play against players of a similar level to you. We’ve recently launched a new Beginners Leagues, open to players with a World Tennis Number between 30-40, so everyone can get competing.
Find a league near you and start competing this winter:
Explore LTA County and District Leagues
Looking to socialise, meet new people, and get stuck into some team tennis at your local venue? Our adult County and District Leagues are one of the best ways to compete in your local area throughout the winter months, with matches taking place on a weekly basis.
County and District leagues are one of our most popular competitions and are suitable for players of all ages and abilities. Team sizes vary from league to league but are typically formed of four to six players and are perfect for competing alongside your friends or connecting with new players.
Speak to your local tennis club or venue about its league teams or find out below:
Play a one-off winter tennis tournament
If you're feeling ready to start competing in your first tournament, or want to perfect your skills against other players, there's no better option than our County Tour.
Our County Tour consists of Grade 4 competitions suitable for players looking to compete on a local or county level.
With a wide range of singles and doubles events spread all over the country, there are tonnes of opportunities to gain some experience playing against other tennis players in your local area.
Find a County or Local Tour event
Get the kids involved with an LTA Youth competition
No matter what time of year it is, junior tennis competitions are still taking place across the country to keep kids entertained throughout the winter.
Whether your kids are looking for a fun introduction to tennis competitions or are looking to keep their match practice ticking over in the winter, we have plenty of junior tennis tournaments to choose from.
For example, Team Challenge – as part of the LTA Youth programme – is designed to get more junior players on court and competing with their friends in a quick fire, short match format.
For the more experienced competitors, Local Tour offer year-round tournaments for children aged 18 and under and give players their first opportunity to earn LTA Ranking points. The winter events take place between 1 September-31 March across the country.
Alternatively, why not go head-to-head with teams from your region and across the country with one of the biggest youth team tennis competitions in Britain – the Youth & National League.
The winter leagues run from September through to March 2025 and gives players of all ages and abilities the chance to battle it out against a range of different opponents alongside their friends.