News | 07 Mar 2023

Wimbledon beckons to even more amateur hopefuls

The ball is in your court: new categories for disabled and adult players give even more chances for tennis enthusiasts to play at Wimbledon.

Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, Britain’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition, is opening up to even more players. The 2023 competition has qualifying rounds for players in wheelchairs, as well as for players with visual impairments and learning disabilities. The finals of the competition are held at the grass courts of the All England Club at Wimbledon in August 2023.

The 2023 competition, delivered in partnership with the LTA and The All England Lawn Tennis Club, is also introducing rounds for adult doubles, joining the existing 14&Under singles and 18&Under doubles categories. Qualifying rounds will take place from 1 March to 4 June, with Area and County Finals taking place in June and July. The National Finals will take place in August on Wimbledon’s Aorangi Courts.

Play Your Way to Wimbledon aims to inspire players and help grow grassroots tennis in the UK. The 2022 competition saw over 10,000 players taking part across 700 venues.

Vodafone announces new partnership with Wimbledon tennis

As Official Connectivity Partner, Vodafone will use its world-leading connectivity and the power of 5G to help bring the sport to more people, working alongside Wimbledon and the Lawn Tennis Association.

Alfie Hewett, men’s wheelchair tennis world No.1 and Vodafone ambassador, said: “It’s terrific to see the competition opening up to even more people in 2023 and including disability categories. For any tennis player out there, no matter what your background or age, everyone dreams of playing at Wimbledon, so it’s brilliant that we can help to make that a reality.”

Gordon Reid, 22-time Grand Slam champion and Vodafone ambassador, said: “Throughout my career, I have experienced many wonderful moments playing at Wimbledon. Inclusivity in tennis is something I’m incredibly passionate about, so it’s fantastic to see this year’s competition raising awareness of disability tennis and giving more people the opportunity to play on the world-famous courts.”

Learn more about Play Your Way to Wimbledon, including how to enter.

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