Spring Forum
The TIA’s annual Tennis, Padel and Pickleball Business Forum is only a month away. The event takes place on Thursday May 1st at the offices of TIA’s Legal Partner, Pinsent Masons in London. This year sees a diverse range of topics to be covered, which will be of interest to tennis, padel and pickleball clubs, developers and operators
- SAPCA – Quality standards for padel construction
- Pinsent Masons – AI in sport
- England Golf – the golf club scene and lessons for tennis
- Sustainability Panel – challenges and opportunities
There are also a number of ‘TIA Club Doctor’ sessions illustrating best practice in the areas of volunteer workforce, club sustainability programming and the impact of club diversification
The event has proven to be a great opportunity to build business networks, meet with suppliers and gauge industry trends. Don’t miss out! To reserve a seat at the Forum email phil@tiauk.org as soon as possible as places are limited
Summer Social / AGM / Wimbledon
Our AGM and Summer Social takes place at the LTA National Tennis Centre in Roehampton on Thursday July 3rd. All TIA members are invited to attend.
Following the AGM and lunch, attendees will have the opportunity to play padel and to watch international junior tennis at the NTC. There will also be ground passes available for some members to attend the Championships in the afternoon, curtesy of the LTA
Further details on the AGM and on passes to Wimbledon will be sent to TIA paid-up members in the coming weeks
New Chair and President at LTA
The LTA confirmed the appointments of William Jackson as its new Chair and Roy Colabawalla as its new President in March. William Jackson, Founder and, until 2024, Chair of Bridgepoint, will succeed Mervyn Davies, Lord Davies of Abersoch, CBE, who announced his departure in December 2024 after serving since 2018.
Having held chair roles at Pret A Manger and MotoGP, Jackson is currently Senior Independent Director of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and Chair of Wellington College Education. He will take up his role after The Championships at Wimbledon in July 2025.
Roy Colabawalla, the current LTA Deputy President since January 2023, and in this capacity also sits on the LTA Board, succeeds Sandi Procter, whose three-year term concludes at the end of 2025, and will take up his role on 1 January 2026.
From Birmingham, Colabawalla has volunteered in tennis for over 20 years in a number of roles, including multiple club positions, assisting in the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation, being involved in the LTA’s international tournament at the Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham, multiple County committee roles and volunteering on the LTA council.
He is a corporate partner in a regional law firm, and specialises in a broad range of corporate work, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, private equity, joint ventures, group reorganisations and commercial transactions in mergers and acquisitions.
Curtesy: Tennis Threads 22 March
Djokovic’s union sues tennis governing bodies
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has filed a series of lawsuits against the world’s governing bodies, including the ATP, WTA, ITF and ITIA, accusing them of operating as a “cartel” and systematically exploiting players.
The association, founded by former world number 25 Vasek Pospisil of Canada along with Novak Djokovic, has filed lawsuits in the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union against the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
The PTPA was created to better represent the interests of players, particularly those who are not part of the most powerful groups on the circuit, with a focus on improving the working conditions and rights of tennis players worldwide.
According to the PTPA, these bodies have maintained a monopolistic system of control that directly affects players, limiting their income, health and freedom within the sport. The union also stated that these practices have persisted for decades without the players finding a way to reform the system through dialogue.
The complaint also alleges that the defendants conspired to fix tournament prizes, stifle competition and reduce players’ earnings. In particular, the PTPA highlights the fact that tennis players receive only 17% of the revenue generated by tournaments, a significantly low figure compared to other sports such as golf or basketball, where players typically receive between 35% and 50%.
They also criticise the ranking system, which they describe as “draconian”, for limiting players’ opportunities and forcing them to compete on an unsustainable schedule, with tournaments held in extreme heat, matches ending at 3 am and the use of balls that cause injuries.
The ATP has categorically rejected the allegations made by the PTPA. In a letter released after the lawsuit, they stated that “the ATP has ensured that players and tournaments have an equal voice in determining the direction of the sport”.
They also highlighted the “transformational changes” made in recent years, such as record prize money and independent annual audits that provide transparency into tournament finances. The ATP defended that players, as independent contractors, “have maintained significant control over their schedules” and that Djokovic’s union had chosen “division and distraction through misinformation”.
Meanwhile, the WTA has issued a strong response, calling the lawsuit “unfortunate and misguided”. The statement insisted that fighting the case would “divert time, attention and resources from our primary mission, which is the welfare of the players and the advancement of the sport”. The WTA promised to vigorously defend its position “at the appropriate time”.
For its part, the ITF said it had received the PTPA’s letter and would take the necessary time to consider its response. It recalled that, as a not-for-profit organisation, it reinvests 90% of its income in the development of tennis worldwide through its 213 national associations. The ITF stressed its commitment to the sustainability of the sport and its ongoing work to promote the global growth of tennis.
Curtesy: Inside the Games 19 March
GMA inspires next generation of grounds people
TIA Affiliate Member, The Grounds Management Association, hopes to inspire the next generation of groundspeople at its ‘Schools Into Stadia’ event at the All England Club in March. As part of #GroundsWeek 2025, the event provided local secondary school students with a hands-on experience of life as a grounds professional at one of the world’s most renowned sporting venues. With workforce development a priority for the industry, this initiative continues to play a crucial role in engaging young people and encouraging them to consider careers in grounds management.
The students had the opportunity to meet and learn from All England Club’s experienced grounds team, including Will Brierley, Senior Groundsman. Through practical sessions and insights from experts, students also gained an understanding of the essential work that goes into maintaining elite sports surfaces.
Neil Stubley, Head of Courts and Horticulture at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, and GMA Board Member, said: “Schools Into Stadia provided a fantastic opportunity to spark the interest of the next generation of Grounds Managers. The technical skills required in this industry are often overlooked, so teaching local students about the year-round maintenance of our grass courts was a great way to showcase the pivotal work that goes on behind the scenes to host The Championships, and most of all, inspire future careers in the profession.”
The proportion of under-35s in the grounds management sector has risen significantly in recent years, and the positive trend highlights the importance of continued engagement with events such as Schools Into Stadia, ensuring that young people are aware of the rewarding career paths available.
Curtesy: The Grounds Management Association
Chiltern Sports Contractors sponsor Herts and Bucks Tennis
As well as completing or working in over 80 parks across two LTA regions as part of the LTA Parks Improvement Framework, TIA Partner Member is also a sponsor for the tennis counties of Herts and Bucks. Andy Burrell of Chiltern said, “As well as supporting the national drive to improve parks tennis courts in partnership with the LTA, we are really pleased to be associated with these two County Associations, cementing our support of local tennis and putting something back into the grass roots of the game”
Padel News
Padel offers golf clubs opportunity for growth
According to Keith Mitchell from Chiefs Digital Media, which provides strategic advice within the sector: “Padel aligns perfectly with golf’s core audience – health-conscious individuals who appreciate skill-based, inclusive, and social sports. Many golf clubs across Europe have already adopted padel with great success, resulting in a broader, more engaged community.
“This not only boosts footfall and member retention but also increases primary revenue from annual memberships, pay as you play court hires and substantial secondary revenue from food and beverage. Also padel creates a vibrant clubhouse atmosphere that encourages cross-sport participation, making it particularly attractive to families and younger members.”
Tom Brunner, co-founder of Padel Home, which installs padel courts in the UK, adds: “For golf clubs, the primary advantage lies in enhancing leisure offerings that can generate incremental revenue while leveraging existing strengths. Padel courts require significantly less space than traditional tennis facilities. With hourly rates ranging from £40-£80 and utilization above 80%, the revenue potential is clear. A standard three-court covered padel facility could conservatively generate annual booking revenue of £305,000 based on just seven hours of usage per day, in addition to opportunities in food and beverage sales, coaching, corporate events, and merchandise.”
According to a recent report in The Times, David Lloyd Leisure, a leading UK health and fitness club operator, reported a 33% profit increase in 2024, largely due to the expansion of its padel and pickleball facilities.
Golf venues have multiple options to incorporate padel, from leasing space to padel operators, managing operations independently, or adopting hybrid models that retain certain operational aspects for increased revenue sharing.
Curtesy: Golf Business News
Owen James of England Golf will be discussing the positive impact of diversification at golf clubs at the TIA Spring Forum on May 1st
Peterborough plans for padel and pickleball resubmitted
Alan Jordan, who has captained England in over-55’s international tournaments is hoping to bring padel and pickleball to Peterborough. Plans have been resubmitted to convert unused tennis courts at Powerleague Peterborough next to Stanground Academy. A previous bid for a lawful development certificate to Peterborough City Council was refused because full planning permission was needed for the necessary surface upgrades. Mr Jordan said the city “deserves a dedicated racket sports centre”