Britain has a proud history of sending kids from grassroots courts to Grand Slam titles – but could the next Andy Murray be priced out of tennis
Children in deprived areas should get free tennis lessons and equipment, the Lib Dems have said as Britain settles in for this weekend’s Wimbledon finals.
Ringfencing £1m for Tennis from the £400m pot set out at the Spending Review for grassroots sport could provide coaching and equipment for as many as 200,000 children, the party estimates.
Max Wilkinson, the party’s sport spokesman praised the “proud British tradition” of tennis stars journeying from local public courts to the Grand Slam circuit.
But he said many youngsters are “priced out” of the sport, and called on the government to do more to expand access to tennis as the world famous tournament comes to a close.
“We have a proud British tradition of fantastic tennis players starting out on grassroots courts and going on to grace the turf at Wimbledon – from Fred Perry to Andy Murray,” he said.
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“Fantastic local coaches and tennis programmes make that journey happen across the country. But many are being priced out of tennis thanks to pay-to-play courts or lack of access to lessons, with many more feeling that the sport just isn’t for them.
“This Wimbledon weekend, we’re calling on the Government to introduce a dedicated, ringfenced fund that provides free tennis lessons and kit for children across the country – boosting their journey from their local courts to the Grand Slam circuit.”
The Party’s figures are based on a Lawn Tennis Association programme which charges families £5 for a racket, balls and coaching per child.
Amanda Anisimova will take on Iga Świątek in today’s women’s singles final, with Jannik Sinner facing Carlos Alcaraz in tomorrow’s Men’s final.