With this week marking the return of professional tennis to Wales for the first time in 30 years, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has highlighted the need for more covered tennis courts in Wales and called on the Welsh Government to work with the Lawn Tennis Association and Tennis Wales to plug this gap in facilities.
The Lexus Wrexham Open, the biggest women’s tennis event in Great Britain outside the grass court season, got underway at Wrexham Tennis Centre yesterday.
Speaking in the Senedd Chamber yesterday, Mr Isherwood referred to the tournament and called for a Statement from the Welsh Government on support for Tennis facilities in Wales, highlighting the shortage of covered tennis courts in Wales.
He said:
“This week marks the return of professional tennis to Wales for the first time in 30 years, as the Lexus Wrexham Open begins at Wrexham Tennis Centre, the largest women's tennis event in Great Britain outside of the grass court season. The main draw gets under way today.
“Although the tournament follows significant major investment in tennis and padel facilities across Wales, only 37 of the 1,100 tennis courts in Wales are covered tennis courts, the lowest percentage in Great Britain, and well below European counterparts, despite demand for indoor tennis in Wales. The Lawn Tennis Association and Tennis Wales are keen to work with Welsh Government to address this gap in facilities, and I call for a Statement accordingly.”
Responding, the Trefnydd Jane Hutt MS, said:
“Tennis Wales, I'm sure, will be delighted that you are raising this today, because this is an important sport and part of our Welsh sporting array of opportunities. So, I will also raise this with the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership.”
The Lexus Wrexham Open can be watched on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the Tennis Channel.
