Junior Davis Cup winner, Kyle Edmund today opened the allplay tennis park, a free five-day festival to help people play tennis.
The allplay tennis park runs from July 4-8, and will give people the chance to enjoy different kinds of tennis programmes, as well as watch all the action from The Championships, Wimbledon.
The allplay tennis park is part of allplay, a campaign to help people play tennis, developed by the Lawn Tennis Association to increase participation, working closely with the Tennis Foundation.
Kyle Edmund, who is currently competing in The Championships, Wimbledon joined over 100 local school children as well as Britain’s top two female wheelchair tennis players Jordanne Whiley and Lucy Shuker in opening the festival.
Kyle Edmund said: “It’s great to be here at the allplay tennis park and see so many young kids playing tennis.
“Tennis is a fun sport for people of all ages and abilities and I’m delighted how many children have come along today and are enjoying themselves.”
Sport and Olympics Minister, Hugh Robertson commented: “Playing tennis is great fun, keeps you fit and is a very sociable sport too. The allplay tennis park in South West London showcases these benefits and is open to players of all abilities. So I would encourage people to go along and get involved.”
Located on the tennis courts of Clapham Common, the allplay tennis park includes a number of different areas featuring LTA Mini Tennis, Cardio Tennis, tennis for disabled people, Tennis Freestyle, coaching as well as a main stage, British Street Food and drink area, where a big screen will show live action from The Championships, Wimbledon.
The park is for everyone, of all ages and abilities and gives them the chance to pick up a racket for free and play the sport, as well as keep up to date with all the action from SW19.
The park will be open from 10am in the morning until 9pm at night and is completely free to enter.
Roger Draper, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Chief Executive, said: “Tennis is a fun, social sport, and the allplay campaign is about getting people to pick up a racket and play tennis.
“Whether you’re a complete beginner, or a regular player – everyone is welcome to come and enjoy themselves for free at allplay tennis park.”
Executive Director of the Tennis Foundation, Geoff Newton added: “I’m delighted to be supporting the allplay tennis park, which is helping us to make tennis a more inclusive and accessible sport.
“Tennis is a sport for all ages and abilities and I’m looking forward to seeing people enjoy the Park for free this week. There will be specific sessions for disabled people at the Park this week but we encourage anyone just to pick up a racket and play a version of tennis that suits them.”
The allplay campaign was set up last year to help people play tennis.
More information on allplay tennis park.