28 April 2020

See you on court (soon)

There is no doubt we have some fantastic facilities for tennis in the UK - and we can't wait to start using them again

It was almost a relief when it rained this week because at least we were not missing the chance to play. But it's been great to see such a range of photos coming in, particularly from clubs this time and as our selection shows, as soon as the lockdown is lifted, there are places to play aplenty. So whether they are courts you use in clubs or parks, do keep your pictures - and your stories about them - coming.

This week's prize can of balls goes to Maddie Maxwell for her second set of lovely pictures and for all her efforts in running a tennis tournament locally. It's such a shame the finals couldn't happen this year but we do hope the event comes back bigger and stronger next time.

Main photo Barnt Green Sport Club, Birmingham/James Crockford Photography

CHALKWELL PARK, SOUTHEND, ESSEX

"Chalkwell Park is run by the council and benefitted from a total resurface and facelift two years ago, so all the courts are pretty much brand new," says Maddie Maxwell.

"Quite a few of the Southend Tennis League matches are played here. It’s situated along the A13, at the top end of Chalkwell Drive that goes down the hill to the seafront. Normally, on a sunny Sunday like today, the traffic would be queuing up from early morning to get a parking space by the beach. As you can see, the playground is completely empty, so it’s extremely peaceful. (I avoided the swings & roundabouts pun.) The Tournament I run should’ve had its Winter Finals today, a glorious day for it. Ah well. All of us in the Southend LTL are very much looking forward to the time we can resume play. Playing singles is very enjoyable and a great way to keep fit! All the best to everyone, and stay safe."

PRESTWOOD TENNIS CLUB, PRESTWOOD, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

"It was a lovely day - sadly!" says Jon Hinton of the day he took this picture while out on a family bike ride. "We had to stop to remind ourselves what we are missing. Not the same as hitting in the garden or against a wall! Looking forward to getting back on court."

CITY OF PETERBOROUGH TENNIS CLUB, PETERBOROUGH, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

"I love our courts and can’t wait to get back on them!" says Max Lambert and who can blame him. Don't they look lovely? The club has invested nearly half a million pounds in these facilities. That's a 'Framed Fabric' structure on the right, housing two more courts.

GREENWICH PARK, SOUTH EAST LONDON

"Missing it a lot!" says Rita Carta Manias of her tennis and we can only agree. These courts (run by Will to Win and popular in the Greenwich TL) are at the top of the hill in Greenwich's stunningly beautiful park and sit almost exactly on the prime meridian. No chance of getting lost here then! Thanks too to Andre Luiz who photographed the same park from closer to the fence (see below)!

Rosemary Gardens, North London

"More rounds that got away,"sighs LTL's Nigel. "Still the courts at Rosemary Gardens look lovely in the dappled shade. We like this venue in the summer months, not least because you don't have to worry about the rather inadequate floodlights!"

Spa Fields, North London

A rarity for London: one floodlit court on its own. But what's that shuttlecock doing, asks LTL's Nigel.

STONE TENNIS AND SQUASH CLUB, STONE, STAFFORDSHIRE

"This is our club in lockdown," says Carol Bradley from Stone, in Staffordshire. So many lovely courts; so little tennis!

Barnt Green SportS Club, birmingham, WEST MIDLANDS

Members describe this club as the best kept secret in the Midlands! In the first couple of weeks of lockdown, after Faye Edwards took this nicely-framed shot, the courts were cleaned, making the club even more inviting than it was before. Faye also passed on James Crockford's wonderful rainbow photo (below) that really captures the spirit of hope for what the future holds.

Photo Barnt Green Sport Club, Birmingham/James Crockford Photography

Stepps LAWN Tennis Club, GLASGOW, lanarkshire

"Stepps Tennis Club this morning," says Garry Downie. Many thanks to him for our first locked-down-courts picture from Scotland, located in the lovely-sounding Bluebell Park in Stepps, which is on north-east outskirts of Glasgow. Looking forward to seeing that padlock unlocked.

KEEP THE PICTURES COMING, BUT DO FOLLOW THIS GUIDANCE...

Do not go outside if you are self-isolating or have Coronavirus symptoms
Do not make an unnecessary trip to your courts just to take a picture. In many countries, neighbourhood walks are limited to a 1km distance from your home and we recommend this precaution.
Do not touch gates, handles or other fixtures and fittings and do not go on the courts themselves. Do not take your racket or other tennis equipment.
Do not linger - shoot and keep going on your way!
Do not ask others to use your camera or phone.
At all times, employ the recommended 2 meter social distancing from other people you may meet.
Turn round and go another way if the park is too busy
Do not include any children in the pictures (unless they are your own and you are happy for us to publish them in which case please make that clear when you send them).

Send your pictures (high res please), to info@localtennisleagues.com. Please tell us the name and location of the courts and add a note giving us permission to add them to the website. If we get a lot of nice submissions we'll award a prize to the best!

But remember...

Only do this if it is safe for you and others. Do not make any long or unnecessary trips. We love tennis and we want to it to start again as soon as possible and we want you and everyone else to be safe and well to play.