This weekend, over 300 finalists started arriving at Wimbledon to compete in the national finals of Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, Britain’s largest mass participation tennis competition.
The event, taking place 2-8 August, offers recreational tennis players of all ages and abilities the opportunity to compete on Wimbledon’s acclaimed grass courts, less than a month after this year’s Championships.
In addition, participants will receive a tour of the Grounds and enjoy a taste of what it is like competing at Wimbledon, observing the all-white dress code and using the official player facilities.
Jamie Baker, Associate Director of Professional Tennis and Tournament Director of The Championships, Wimbledon said: “In partnership with Vodafone and the LTA, we are delighted to open up Play Your Way to Wimbledon to even more players with the addition of para-standing and deaf competitions. For many of these players, competing on Wimbledon’s grass courts will be their first experience on the surface and we can’t wait to welcome them to the national finals at the All England Club. We hope this competition continues to inspire players of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to discover the fun and benefits of tennis.”
Play Your Way to Wimbledon encourages tennis enthusiasts of all levels to pick up a racket and get involved in the sport. Participants begin by competing locally at their club, park or school before progressing to county and/or area finals and eventually reaching the national finals at Wimbledon. Last year saw over 11,000 players taking part in the competition with more than 780 venues hosting the initial stages, with 340 players reaching the national finals.
Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, and supported by the All England Club and the LTA, hosts the following categories:
• 14U Junior Singles – WTN 32.0 to 40.9
• 18U Junior Doubles – WTN 28.0 to 40.9
• 19+ Adult Doubles – WTN 25.0 to 40.9
• Wheelchair Adult and Junior
• Learning Disability
• Visually Impaired
• Para Standing (new for 2026)
• Deaf (new for 2026)
A coaching clinic for 14&U players will be conducted by Head Coach of the All England Club, Dan Bloxham said: “It’s a true delight to work with the talented kids from all over the UK who make it to this stage of the competition and to reward their work and commitment to the sport by showing them what it’s like to play here on grass at Wimbledon. I hope their experience here will inspire them to continue with the sport and pursue their passion.”
Play Your Way to Wimbledon is part of Vodafone’s ongoing commitment as Official Connectivity Partner to The Championships, to connect more people with the sports and events they love, while supporting grassroots tennis and making the sport more accessible to players of all ages and abilities.
Matches began on Sunday 2 August with the first round of the 14U girls’ and boys’ singles competitions; followed by the girls’ and boys’ 18U doubles on Tuesday 4 August; the adults’ doubles beginning Wednesday 5 August; para-standing on Thursday 6 August andthe learning disability, visually impaired, deaf tennis matches and adults and junior wheelchair tennis categories taking to the courts from Friday 7 August.
Olly Scadgell, Managing Director of Tennis Development at the LTA, said: “The finals of Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone have always been one of the highlights of the tennis summer. Thousands set out earlier this year with the goal of reaching the storied grass courts at the All England Club, and for those now set to compete, they are about to realise the dream of many a tennis player. Whether or not they go on to win a title, we hope players are inspired to continue their tennis journeys, and can also inspire others in their communities to pick up a racket and give tennis a go.”
