2026 Spring Forum
Our 2026 Spring Forum sponsored by Pinsent Masons will feature a refreshed format, prioritising structured debate and maximising contributions from attendees. The programme will centre on several key emerging topics across the tennis, padel and pickleball sectors, with discussions led by invited subject‑matter specialists. Final details of speakers and themes will be confirmed shortly.
The Forum will take place on Thursday, 23 April, at the offices of Pinsent Masons in central London. Coffee is at 10.00 and proceedings will run from 11:00 to 13:00, followed by a networking lunch.
Formal invitations will be issued shortly to all TIA members and selected guests. However, those wishing to secure early participation are encouraged to reserve a place by contacting phil@tiauk.org, as capacity will be limited under the new event structure.
New face at CopriSystems
CopriSystems has announced Nick Harrison as their new CSO for sport. Experienced in sports technology, education and brand visibility at elite level, Nick brings a fresh and exciting approach to the table and his passion for delivering innovative solutions is what makes him a good match for the team at CopriSystems.
Whether looking to build tennis and/or padel courts from scratch or enhance existing multi-court facilities, CopriSystems can provide you with the covering technology you need, designed to your exact specifications. As Principal Contractors, approved by SAPCA, they can also offer a full turnkey project solution, preparing the groundworks, court surfacing, changing room fit-outs and installing the internal fixtures to create the optimum environment for play.
Whether you opt for a fully enclosed structure with retractable side walls, an open canopy, a dutch-style barn or are repurposing a disused warehouse, CopriSystems has over 35 years’ experience and plenty of expertise to create flexible spaces that inspire people to play and are comfortable to play in, no matter what the weather or time of day.
nick.harrison@coprisystems.com
Zenniz joins TIA
Brian Flasck, Zenniz UK Manager is excited about the increasing role of technology in sport and for tennis in particular. To help players better understand and improve their game, there are now smart tennis court solutions designed for just that purpose. Providing video replay, shot statistics, and match analytics, and more, these new technologies are helping players analyse their game like never before. What was once reserved for elite professionals is now available to any tennis club.
Since 2017, Zenniz has been providing clubs advanced, AI-powered solutions that transform tennis courts into data-driven smart tennis courts that help players and coaches. Popular features of Zenniz include:
- Video Replay: HD video recording, cutting out the dead time between points, allowing you to filter replay by shot type, outcome, view in slow-motion and even live-stream online.
- Performance Analytics: Tracks every shot, providing detailed data on shot placement, speed, consistency, net clearance, and movement patterns
- Automated Line Calling: Uses a combination of cameras and audio technology to provide instant, accurate, and fair in/out calls which is certified by the ITF.
- Interactive Coaching Drills: Provides drills and practice modes giving players and coaches real-time feedback and measurable data to help players track progress and improve skills.
Players access everything via their Zenniz app on their phone, enabling them to analyse their match at any time, such as when sitting on the sofa or riding the train. Reviewing past matches and preparing for the next time on court is what players and coaches appreciate most about Zenniz.
To learn more about how Zenniz can elevate the tennis experience at your club, please reach out to Brian Flasck at brian@zenniz.com.
Plans for sweeping Australian Open changes
Tennis Australia has “plans to push for a series of transformational changes” to the Australian Open, including “making women’s matches best-of-five sets, rather than best of three, from the quarterfinals onward.” Other proposed changes include “remaking the look of the tennis court, beginning with getting rid of the umpire’s chair,” replacing it with a “seat on the side of the court.” TA said “beginning next year, the player benches will change into mini performance centers.” They will have “heating and cooling technology, the ability to measure a player’s physical condition, and screens that might give players access to the same data the coaches have, if the rules on data collection are adjusted to allow it.”
Curtesy: The Athletic
Craig Tiley moves to the US
Craig Tiley has been appointed as the new chief executive of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) after 13 years at Tennis Australia. Former Australian Open tournament director and Tennis Australia chief executive Tiley will replace Lew Sherr, who has joined Major League Baseball’s New York Mets. South African Tiley, 64, will formally assume his responsibilities at USTA later this year after helping to ensure a smooth transition of leadership at Tennis Australia.
Calling all Golfers!
Come and support the TIA UK’s official charity and enjoy a great day of golf with colleagues or friends at the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust’s annual fundraising Golf Challenge.
This year being held at a new venue – Sundridge Park Golf Club in Bromley on Wednesday 29th April. Open to teams or three or four and individuals, the day comprises a shotgun start for 18 holes of golf, hospitality including an after golf meal, an auction with amazing prizes conducted by the entertaining Marcus Buckland and in the presence of special guests including the Trust’s President Dame Elaine Paige.
The main purpose of the day is fundraising to support disabled people who play tennis via DMTT’s grant aid programme and is the Trust’s major event of the year. For further information please contact Gilly@dmtt.org.uk and see its website page.
If you are unable to come on the day but have something from your business you would like to donate as an auction or raffle prize, either for the Golf Day or another of our fundraising events, please let Gilly know.
LTA Tennis Foundation announces new grants awarded to improve lives through tennis
LTA Tennis Foundation (LTA TF) has just completed its fifth grant funding round, awarding £1.6m in grants to 22 organisations. This round saw the highest number of applications to date, reflecting the growing demand for organisations seeking to use tennis to make a positive social impact.
Reflecting on the latest grant round, Tom Gibbins, Head of Foundation Development said: “We are delighted to welcome so many new partners to the LTA Tennis Foundation through this latest round of funding, and to continue supporting existing partners as they grow their programmes and deepen their impact.
“This is our fifth funding round, and the significant increase in applications shows both the need and the appetite to use the power of tennis to improve lives. We’re excited to work alongside our new and returning partners and to see the positive changes these funded programmes will create for people and communities across Britain.”
Full list of grantees:
- Bright Ideas for Tennis
- Community Action Derby
- Dan Maskell Tennis Trust
- EA Tennis Group CIC t/a National Tennis Association
- Give it Your Max
- Global Diabetes Initiatives
- Greenhouse Sports
- The Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders
- International Community Organisation of Sunderland
- Karmabank CIC
- Kingsbury School Sports Partnership CIC
- Krimmz Girls Youth Club
- Rackets Cubed
- Single Homeless Project
- Sport in Mind
- Stoke City Foundation
- Strike9 C.I.C.
- The Coalfields Regeneration Trust
- The Federation of London Youth Clubs
- The Queen’s Club Foundation
- Tim Henman Foundation
Padel and Pickleball News
According to Playomic (a racket sports booking platform) there are at least 1220 padel courts in Britain compared to just 69 in 2019. Bookings on its padel platform have grown from 16K – 25K per month in 2023 to 175K – 200K throughout 2025.
Source: The Sunday Times
2026 UK Padel Player Survey
Oxygen Consulting (publisher of the UK Padel Report) is conducting this independent player survey to help padel in the UK move from rapid growth to sustainable, accessible participation.
As more courts and venues open, the sport benefits from additional player-led evidence on what leads to regular play, what gets in the way, and how factors such as price, availability, venue experience, and court type influence participation. Your responses will inform insights shared with venue operators, local authorities, sports organisations, and investors shaping the next phase of padel in the UK.
To ensure players’ voices are represented in UK-wide research on padel. Your input will help influence clearer priorities for how the sport develops.
It takes less than 10 minutes to complete and the findings and insight will be shared in the forthcoming edition UK Padel Report.
Three £50 Amazon vouchers up for grabs as well if you complete and submit the survey.
Slazenger Padel Clubs
Stuart Perris, MD of Slazenger Padel Clubs for the Fraser Group has announced growth plans for 2026, which he hopes will result in 150+ courts nationally. 2 developments are confirmed for Mansfield (12 courts) and Leeds South (14 courts) with further expansion in key UK cities including Cardiff, Exeter, Hull, Liverpool, York and Gillingham.
Warrington
A Warrington hotel has been given the approval to restore two disused outdoor courts to join the padel tennis craze. Full planning permission was sought from Warrington Borough Council’s planning department for land to the rear of Village Hotel, located on Centre Park. The hotel chain wants to convert the existing tennis court area to accommodate five padel tennis courts with a cover.