Tennis Foundation Appoints Henman Communications

Henman Communications, a London based sports and lifestyle PR agency, has been appointed to media manage the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters in Loughborough at the end of this month, with its mission to give disabled players the same level of media exposure as able-bodied players.

The International Tennis Federation’s end of season finale to the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis World Tour, for the world’s top wheelchair players, will be hosted once again by the Tennis Foundation, with this year’s event being held from 29th November to 3rd December 2017 at Loughborough University Tennis Centre.

Qualification for each of the men’s, women’s and quad singles is based on ranking points achieved across the season for players on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme. 

There will be 11 nations represented in Loughborough, including multiple Paralympic medallists and Grand Slam champions. Great Britain will be represented by more players than any other nation with Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid, Lucy Shuker, Andy Lapthorne and Antony Cotterill all representing Great Britain at the event in Loughborough.

Henman Communications will be onsite covering all the action online via the event’s social media channels, and also making a series of short videos for The Tennis Foundation in the build up to and during the event. 

Richard Henman, Henman Communications CEO, said: “It is very exciting to be working with the Tennis Foundation on the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters at a time when wheelchair tennis as a sport in the UK is on such a high. It is fantastic that five world class British players have all qualified for the end of season finals and this gives us an opportunity to use the event as a platform to raise the profile of tennis as a sport for disabled people and to drive wider and greater participation in the UK. “

Andy Dodd, head of communications and marketing at the Tennis Foundation said: “We are delighted to be working with the team at Henman Communications around the NEC Masters.  The event is the culmination of the ITF’s wheelchair tennis world tour, and we were keen to ensure we make the most of the opportunity of hosting the event here in Great Britain. Utilising the services of Henman Communications to build our online and social media presence will not only increase awareness via our social media channels, but will also open a lot of people’s eyes to the technical skill and ability that is on show in disability tennis.”