Tie Break Tens, LTA & WTA are delighted to announce the launch of ‘The TB10 Challenger 2019 in partnership with LTA & WTA Future Stars’

Tie Break Tens (TB10), the fast-paced, short-form tennis format launched a new grassroots campaign today with two of the leading governing bodies of tennis, LTA and WTA, named ‘The TB10 Challenger 2019 in partnership with LTA & WTA Future Stars’. 

With the shared objective of encouraging participation in tennis amongst the younger demographic, the TB10 Challenger will focus solely on girls aged between 13-16 years by encouraging them to not only try tennis but also to sample competition too, through the innovative and engaging TB10 format.  

Launched as a tennis format in 2015, Tie Break Tens is a quick-fire version of tennis that anyone can play. Unlike conventional tennis matches, Tie Break Tens matches are comprised solely of tie breaks – no games, no sets, just exhilarating ten- point breakers in which every point counts allowing more court time for players and offering a fun way to get into the sport.

As part of this exciting new campaign, the WTA are offering the two female winners in each age category (16U, 14U) an incredible opportunity - an expenses paid trip to Shenzhen, to compete at the WTA Future Stars tournament alongside the top young Asian female players of their age category. The trip will coincide with the WTA Finals Shenzhen where the girls will get the chance to meet the top eight female players in the world, have mentoring opportunities from the stars of the WTA and live like pro tennis players.

The TB10 Challenger comprises of a nationwide set of tournaments run throughout the summer at tennis clubs which have registered to play via the TB10 website. The winner and runner up from each club will progress to their local Regional Final before going on to the TB10 Challenger Final to be held on Saturday 21 September at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre, Roehampton. Further details can be found at www.tiebreaktens.com/play

LTA officials including Referees and Umpires will be present at both the Regional Finals and Challenger Final to help create top quality events for the players to enjoy. LTA partners, adidas and Babolat will also present players with rackets, footwear, apparel and racket bags. Clubs that register to play TB10 Challenger will be sent a package of TB10/LTA merchandise. 

“We are thrilled that the LTA & WTA have come on board as partners to the TB10 Challenger 2019,” said Felicity Barnard, CEO of Tie Break Tens. “Our shared ambition is to drive participation in tennis particularly in the female market, at an age where many secondary school children drop out of sport altogether. Following our successful female only tournament at Madison Square Garden, NYC, we have been looking at ways of promoting tennis to girls in the UK and beyond. We look forward to seeing this partnership grow over the next few months.”

Keith Carder, Head of Competition at the LTA commented “The LTA is really looking forward to working with Tie Break Tens & the WTA on the TB10 Challenger 2019. We are keen to innovate with the delivery of tennis by trying different formats of the game to open tennis up. Tie Break Tens is a fun and quick format and these tournaments will be a great opportunity to support our plans to get more girls playing tennis”.

Melissa Pine, VP of Global Programs at the WTA said: “The WTA is honoured to take part in such a great initiative that will help inspire young girls to pick up a racket and achieve their goals through tennis. We are especially excited to see the WTA Future Stars program grow each year and expanding to reach more youth across the globe.”

Key Dates and venue information

Regional Finals

The Final

Challenger Finals to be held at the National Tennis Centre on Saturday 21 September 12.30pm – 4.30pm

WTA Future Stars tournament, Shenzhen, China

To be held from Monday 21 October to Sunday 27 October