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The challenge

Despite its growth in popularity and participation, a lack of research into player safety and performance coupled with concerns about damage to grass courts means that matches tend to be played on hard surfaces – restricting the range of tournaments at which WT can feature.

This partnership – led by colleagues in The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (PHC) – is addressing both issues.

It is hoped that the project’s findings will provide assurances that WT has minimum impact on grass court surfaces while delivering data to underpin player performance and safety guidelines.

Impacts and benefits

The PHC has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the area of wheelchair sports, including tennis. However, this was the first time the research team had been able to apply their expertise to WT played on grass.

Their research findings are extremely positive, demonstrating that – with specific modifications to wheelchair design – WT can be safely played on grass without undue damage to the surface.

This is summed up clearly by William Brierley – Lead Grounds Person at The All England Lawn Tennis Club: “The research undertaken with ÌìÌÃÊÓƵ has certainly shown that we don't need to be going as hard as we used to when we're looking at the surface gravities. This has meant that we're now able to open up the courts.

“We saw play this year on Court 9 for the first time which shows that we can have the wheelchairs on the same courts as the able-bodied players at the hardness readings that we'd be looking for in the second week.

“The research has certainly helped inform that decision and helped us to make tennis a bit more accessible to everybody.”

This opens the possibility of WT becoming a prominent feature of The Championships – raising the profile of the sport worldwide.

Alongside the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), the Lawn Tennis Association is interested in the findings which will broaden dissemination to the wider tennis community. It is hoped that this will open greater possibilities for both elite and grassroots WT players.

The project team is developing a variety of communication tools to share their findings and encourage widespread playing of WT on grass courts – infographics, video and written guidelines, including a simple, easy to follow information card, Grass Court Tennis Equipment Guidance for Court Protection.

The UK Government’s report highlights the need for sport clubs and facilities to adapt, making participants of disability sport feel welcome so that everyone can enjoy and benefit from healthy activity.

The research and its findings support the Government’s call. By supplying much needed knowledge and understanding, the research can obviate the idea that WT damages grass courts, reducing stigma towards wheelchair users and giving voice to their experiences as disability players.

The Government also hopes to maximise UK sporting success at major events. The research findings could support the AELTC’s aims to host more wheelchair tennis on its show courts – supporting the Government’s strategy to celebrate our best athletes and place disability sport centre-stage.

Neil Stubley – Head of Courts and Horticulture at The All England Lawn Tennis Club – notes the importance of the research findings for equity in sport: “It's really important that we have inclusivity across the whole spectrum. The beauty of sport is that it does open it up for everyone – we just need to make sure that we can make it available to all.

“This research can only be good for tennis. Hopefully, once the data's released, we can show other venues that playing wheelchair tennis on grass should be embraced rather than denied.”

We were privileged to work with colleagues from RGK Wheelchairs and The All England Lawn Tennis Club.