Tennis Industry’s annual Xmas celebration
The TIA’s annual Tennis Industry Xmas Lunch takes place on Thursday December 5th at the prestigious Queen’s Club, west London. We are very excited to welcome special guests to this year’s event – ex British tennis player Roger Taylor MBE and composer, musician and lyricist Jeff Wayne – who will be discussing all things tennis with our experienced Master of Ceremonies, Marcus Buckland
Tickets for TIA members are £55.00 plus VAT and non-member tickets at £80.00 plus VAT. Go to phil@tiauk.org to purchase tickets as soon as possible as remaining spaces are limited
Spring Forum diary date
The Tennis, Padel, Pickleball Spring Forum will take place on Thursday 1st May 2025 at the offices of the TIA’s Legal Business Partner, Pinsent Masons based in the City. Further details to follow in the new year
Wimbledon linesmen make way for technology after 147 years
The All England Lawn Tennis Club and the Committee of Management of The Championships have announced two operational updates in preparation for the 138th edition of the tournament, scheduled to take place from 30 June to 13 July 2025.
The first major Wimbledon change will see Live Electronic Line Calling (Live ELC) introduced at The Championships starting in 2025. This technology will be applied to all match courts during both The Championships and Qualifying rounds, covering “out” and “fault” calls previously made by line umpires. Additionally, this will mark the first time Electronic Line Calling technology is used at the Wimbledon Qualifying Competition venue.
The decision to adopt Live ELC follows extensive testing during this year’s Championships and expands upon the existing ball tracking and line calling technology that has been in place for several years.
“The decision to introduce Live Electronic Line Calling at The Championships was made following a significant period of consideration and consultation,” Sally Bolton, Chief Executive of the All England Club, stated. “Having reviewed the results of the testing undertaken at The Championships this year, we consider the technology to be sufficiently robust and the time is right to take this important step in seeking maximum accuracy in our officiating. For the players, it will offer them the same conditions they have played under at a number of other events on tour.”
Time changes for the Wimbledon finals in 2025
The provisional schedule for the final weekend of The 2025 Championships has been revised, with the gentlemen’s and ladies’ doubles finals set to begin at 13:00, followed by the ladies’ and gentlemen’s singles finals at 16.00 on the second Saturday and Sunday, respectively
Approval for Wimbledon expansion plans
Meanwhile the plans to expand Wimbledon remain ongoing following their approval by the Greater London Council, despite locals vowing to continue their fight against the expansion
Black Tennis Collective to serve up something different
Timed to coincide with October’s Black History Month, five pioneering organisations from the Black tennis community came together to form the Black Tennis Collective – the start of a powerful collaboration with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). At the heart of the Black Tennis Collective lies a shared commitment to enhance Black visibility and participation in tennis across Britain offering valuable insights and perspectives from the Black community.
The Black Tennis Collective is comprised of five trailblazing organisations, each bringing a distinct approach to promoting Black talent and excellence in tennis:
- Tennis Black List: A platform celebrating Black and mixed Black heritage role models in tennis both on and off the tennis court. Through the platform, stories of representation, resilience and triumph are celebrated and championed.
- Black Spin Global: Known for its insightful podcasts and interviews, this platform shines a spotlight on Black professionals in tennis, amplifying their stories and achievements.
- Black Tennis Mentors UK: Plays a vital role in supporting Black tennis leaders in the UK, creating opportunities for future enthusiasts and fostering connections between leaders and learners.
- Back It: a mobile tennis club in association with Black Tennis Mentors UK aimed at fostering community and infusing culture into the courts. Back It brings tennis directly to black communities, creating accessible and inclusive opportunities for everyone to engage in tennis activities and competition.
- SheCanServe: A female-led initiative that empowers women through tennis, creating supportive environments for connection, learning and growth.
The LTA insist that they are keen to collaborate with a dynamic network that actively promotes and champions Black visibility and participation in British tennis. Alexis Simms, the LTA’s EDI Development Partner, who has been instrumental in building relationships with the groups involved, said on the partnership: “The short-term goal is to foster collaboration among leading voices in the black tennis community. Long-term, we aim for the Black Tennis Collective to become a trusted ally to the LTA, advocating for greater inclusion and helping shape future initiatives.”
The partnership signals the start of a new era in British tennis, where increased Black visibility can inspire future generations and help redefine what it means to excel in the sport.
Article curtesy ‘The Voice’ – October 10
Sport England research identifies £100 billion in social value generated by sport and physical activity
New research from Sport England shows that improved health from participation in sport and physical activity relieves pressure on the NHS through £10.5 billion a year in health and social care savings
Sport England states: “The value is made up of £96.7 billion in annual wellbeing value for adults, children and young people taking part and volunteering in sport and physical activity – and a further £10.5 billion in wider savings to the health and social care system a year. This relieves pressure on the NHS through the prevention of illness, reduced mental health service usage, fewer GP visits and a reduced need for informal (unpaid) care.
“Through in-depth analysis of our Active Lives data, plus reviewing wider evidence for the health benefits of being active (including the costs associated with the treatment and care of illness and poor health), the research reveals the profound social and economic benefits of sport and physical activity for communities across England”
“We undertook the research in partnership with social value advisors State of Life, Sheffield Hallam University and Manchester Metropolitan University, and you can download a report summarising the findings below or on our dedicated social value webpage.
Article curtesy Sport England : 22 October
Off-court coaching to be allowed in tennis from 2025
The ITF has announced that off-court coaching will be allowed in tennis from January 2025. The decision was made at the ITF’s annual general meeting and follows recent trials on the ATP and WTA tours.
The ITF says the move will make tennis “fairer and, potentially, more entertaining”.
The new changes mean:
- Coaches can issue advice either verbally or via hand signals at any time except during the playing of a point.
- Coaching must be “brief and discreet”, except during breaks in play.
- In team events only, where a team captain sits on court, the team captain may also give coaching advice.
- Players can access approved “player analysis technology” at times when coaching is permitted.
The decision whether to implement the rule changes will be at the jurisdiction of the sanctioning body of each individual tournament or event.
Stuart Miller, ITF senior executive director for integrity and legal, said: “We’ve gathered feedback from all key stakeholders including players, coaches and chair umpires.
“Players felt it was a positive development and makes tournaments more interesting for them.”
However, former world number 10 Denis Shapovalov has criticised the change. “Not just as a tennis player but as a fan of this sport it’s sad to see this new off-court coaching rule.
Tennis is special because you are out there alone. Why are you trying to change the beauty of this game?”
TIA is always keen to give young people a helping hand into the tennis business
Alexander Flandrin is a young Franco-British sports enthusiast with a 2:1 degree in History and International Relations from Loughborough University.
“I would like to contribute positively to sport in Europe and particularly help in the development of new sports including padel, pickleball and handball the latter at which I competed in at Loughborough. If you are interested please contact me by phone or email”
Tel: 00 33 6 52 41 59 11