Development

Tennis Europe's Development Department exists to grow the game across the continent - not just at the top, but at every level. We work directly with our 51 member nations to strengthen player pathways, build coaching capacity, improve infrastructure, and ensure that talented players from all parts of Europe have the opportunity to develop and compete.

Our work spans the full journey, from a child picking up a racquet for the first time, to a junior competing on the international stage. We believe that development is not a single programme - it is a long-term commitment to every nation, regardless of size or resource level.

Our Strategic Objectives

The Tennis Europe Development Department operates in line with two core strategic objectives:

• Increase participation in tennis across Europe for all ages, genders, skill levels and physical abilities
• Develop talented players, with a particular focus on nations that are under-represented and under-resourced

These objectives shape every programme we run, every nation we support, and every decision we make about where to focus our efforts.

Our Focus: Supporting Nations That Need It Most

Tennis Europe is one organisation responsible for 51 member nations, each at a different stage of development. A central priority for our department is to ensure that the nations which are most under-resourced and under-represented receive targeted, meaningful support - not just access to programmes designed for established tennis nations.

This means tailoring our approach to the specific needs, context and challenges of each federation. What works in a large western European nation will not automatically transfer to a smaller federation with fewer certified coaches, limited facilities or a developing player base. Understanding and responding to that difference is at the heart of what we do.

Our Development Strategy

The Tennis Europe Development Department operates in line with four core strategic objectives:

1. Player Development:
   To develop talented players across Europe and strengthen performance pathways, with particular emphasis on emerging and under-resourced tennis nations.
2. Grassroots Participation:
   To increase participation in tennis by creating accessible, inclusive, and engaging opportunities for people of all ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds.
3. Ecosystem Strengthening:
   To strengthen the European tennis ecosystem by enhancing the capacity, knowledge, and effectiveness of national associations, coaches, clubs, officials, and other key stakeholders.
4. Sustainability:
   To promote environmentally sustainable practices throughout European tennis, supporting the long-term resilience and social responsibility of the sport.

Our Projects

Tennis Europe runs a range of active development programmes across Europe, which can be found under Development projects.

Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration: One of our key priorities is creating more and better opportunities for European tennis nations to learn from each other. Too often, excellent development practice exists within a single federation without ever reaching others who could benefit. Tennis Europe is committed to facilitating that exchange more systematically - through webinars, online forums, mentorship between nations, and a more frequent conference programme.

We are also committed to ensuring that our support is evidence-based. Through regular data collection from member nations and targeted research projects, we are building a clearer picture of what works across different contexts, and why.

For more information about Tennis Europe's development activities, please contact:
Maciej Szymonski
Development Manager, Tennis Europe
E-mail: maciejs@tenniseurope.org