The most recent Tennis Europe Annual General Meeting brought federation leaders together for a discussion on gender balance in tennis, moving beyond statistics to examine why participation gaps persist and what concrete actions can drive change. It was an open, collective conversation, grounded in shared responsibility and practical action. The session opened with a direct challenge: how many federations have actually analysed their participation numbers through a gender lens? Florence Alix-Gravellier, Vice President of Tennis Europe, and Mariette Verbruggen, Tennis Europe Gender Equity Committee member, the session’s presenters, were clear: data reveals challenges, but people make change happen.
The discussion comes months after Tennis Europe had completed a comprehensive survey involving all 49 active member nations. The study examined grassroots participation and disparities across a wide range of stakeholder groups, including players, coaches, officials, and leadership. While a high-level summary was presented at the AGM, each federation also received its own individual report, offering a detailed snapshot of its current landscape and progress in relation to gender equity. This combination of collective insight and tailored analysis marked an important step forward, moving from general awareness to targeted, country-specific progress.
The session featured a panel discussion led by Florence Alix-Gravellier, who was joined by Aslak Paulsen, General Secretary of the Norwegian Tennis & Padel Federation, Şafak Müderrisgil, President of the Turkish Tennis Federation, Roger Davids, ITF Board Member, and Mariette Verbruggen, Vice President of the Royal Dutch Lawn Tennis Federation (pictured above from left to right). Şafak spoke about player participation, including entry, retention, and competitive pathways; Aslak focused on the enabling environment, highlighting the role of coaches, officials, tournament organisers, and others in fostering equitable conditions; and Roger addressed governance and male allyship, emphasising the role of Tennis Europe and National Association leadership in building networks and resources that advance equity.
A key theme to emerge from the session was the power of visibility as a practical pathway forward. Role models, particularly female coaches, leaders, and decision-makers, play a vital role in shaping perceptions and aspirations. When young players see people like themselves in positions of authority, it expands their sense of what is possible. Several federations shared initiatives aimed at strengthening this pipeline, from developing networks of female coaches to launching leadership programs designed to create clearer pathways into governance.
Speaking about the session, presenter Florence Alix-Gravellier commented, “Tennis is already at the forefront of gender equity in sport, and that's a position we would like to maintain. Carrying out this survey has reinforced that we know where we are, and we know where we need to go. The Tennis Europe Gender Equity Committee intends to build on this momentum and encourage engagement from all Member Nations, regardless of where they are in the process.”
Mariette Verbruggen added, “Awareness alone is not enough. We, as Tennis Europe, have a responsibility to actively support our Member Nations in cultivating the most equitable environments possible, whether that means sharing best practices, providing resources, or simply ensuring no nation has to navigate this journey alone”.
Looking ahead, Tennis Europe's Gender Equity Strategy will be shaped by the three key areas of player participation, the enabling environment, and governance and (male) allyship. Throughout the season, Tennis Europe will continue to raise awareness and support Member Nations through webinars designed to foster engagement and strategic planning, Erasmus+ project support for original initiatives, and access to interactive dashboards to help track progress on gender equity. A final report on the survey's outcomes will also be published in the coming weeks. The foundations have been laid through research, dialogue, and shared understanding; what matters now is the willingness of individuals and organisations to turn that knowledge into meaningful, lasting change.