England (updated 2 March)

UPDATE: Resumption of outdoor tennis activity from 29 March

Government Roadmap for easing of lockdown restrictions

The Government has  published its roadmap for the gradual and staged easing of lockdown restrictions in England, made possible by the pace of the vaccination programme.  Restrictions will be eased across all areas of England at the same time.

The announcement confirmed that:

• Outdoor tennis courts will be able to open from 29 March. This will mean recreational tennis will be able to resume, including singles and doubles social play, 1:1 coaching and formally organised activity for groups, including group coaching (maximum group size and court ratios subject to confirmation)
• Indoor courts to remain closed until later in the roadmap   
• Tennis in schools can resume from 8 March (see below)

Summary Grid - Permitted tennis activity from 29 March

We have produced a simple summary grid outlining what the Government's publication of the roadmap means for tennis activity from 29 March, and setting out the key relevant aspects for tennis in terms of how the roadmap will progress under each step, which can be downloaded via the link below.

This document will be updated as and when we receive confirmation of further detail from Government and Sport England.  We will also republish updated versions of the LTA's full COVID-19 Secure guidelines for tennis players, coaches, official and venues in due course.

Please note, we have now updated this grid since initial publication, confirming details for group size and court limits for formally organised group activity, details for competitions and confirmation of indoor access for floodlights.

• SUMMARY GRID - Permitted tennis activity

LTA response to roadmap

We are pleased that there is now a clear date for when outdoor tennis will be allowed to resume in England. We know sport has a key role in supporting the physical and mental health of the nation, so its return will give a boost to the whole country, and is very welcome.

Clearly tennis is a naturally socially-distanced and safe activity and so we would have liked restrictions to be lifted without delay and made the case for this. However we are now focussed on supporting venues, coaches, officials and players to prepare for the return of outdoor tennis on 29 March.

It is also important that indoor facilities can reopen as soon as it is safe for them to do so. Many of the country’s network of indoor tennis facilities have suffered real financial challenges so it is vital that we protect these community assets to avoid them closing permanently, and we are keen to work with Government on this.

The initial plans for the return of spectators to sports stadia are also welcome, and we will continue to work closely with Government ahead of the LTA’s summer grass court events. We will share more information with tennis fans in due course.