The LTA has announced a new series of domestic competitive tennis events to take place at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton.
According to the governing body for Tennis in Britain, the series is planned to start in early July, subject to confirmation of Government requirements. The LTA says it has been working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), UK Sport and other sports governing bodies to plan for the return of tennis.
The LTA also says it is in ‘close consultation’ with the ATP, WTA and the ITF around the potential for future international events after July, but confirmed it has plans for further domestic tournaments beyond August should the international suspension period be extended further.
“Since the coronavirus crisis, we have been working incredibly hard to support all our players, venues, coaches and officials through this very challenging time,” said Scott Lloyd, Chief Executive, LTA.
“I’m delighted to announce today the next stage of elite tennis’s return to competing safely behind closed doors as part of a five-phase plan coordinated by UK Sport and with the government. The LTA is actively engaged in developing the necessary guidelines for behind closed doors events, which we hope will be determined by the government in the coming weeks to ensure the safest environment for anyone involved in returning to competition and look forward to bringing tennis back into people’s lives this summer.”
Four new British Tour events will take place over consecutive weeks from 3rd to 26th July, with all four set to be staged in Roehampton, which has already been approved as an elite training venue.
Each of these events will host 32 singles players (16 men and 16 women) and will be held over Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, while the LTA says it has increased total prize money at each tournament by 50%. Additionally, for the first time ever at British Tour events, all players from the first round onwards will receive prize money to help support the incomes and expenses from a wider base of players.
