How to start competing
Competing against players of a similar level is one of the best ways to enjoy the game, while also improving your skills and making new friends along the way.
Here you’ll find everything you need to know to start competing and how to enter a tennis competition – whether it’s your first match or your 100th.
If you’re looking for someone to play tennis with and arrange matches – we’ve got you covered with different options to suit different players and needs.
Barclays Local Tennis League
The easiest way to play more matches and find players to compete with in your local area is by entering a Barclays Local Tennis League.
There are leagues available for beginners all the way through to more advanced players – so we’ll match you with players of a similar ability.
Through the Barclays Local Tennis League app, you can join a league and chat to nearby players to organise your next match on court.
Find out more & download the app
Play Tennis app
Our Play Tennis app allows you to book tennis courts, join classes and connect with local players in your local area.
The new Communities function allows you to join community groups of other players who play at your nearest courts so you can connect, arrange hitting sessions, organise events and find new partners to compete with and against.
Local tennis competitions
There are a whole host of different competitions and formats that you can play in, each suited to a variety of players – whether you’re looking to compete on a local, county, regional or even national level.
If you’re new to tennis competitions, returning after a long stretch away from the game, or just fancy playing matches at your local park – then Barclays Local Tennis Leagues could be the best option for you.
Barclays Local Tennis Leagues match you up with players of a similar standard so you can enjoy competing in social, competitive leagues at your nearest park courts. Best of all, you can arrange matches at a time and place that suits you.
Find a Barclays Local Tennis Leagues
Graded tennis competitions
You can also compete in a variety of different types of competitions at your local club or venue such as box leagues, match plays, club nights, tournaments, etc. Just chat to your venue to find out what competitions they run.
Other tournaments in Britain are graded from 1-7. If you’re just starting out competing, Grades 5-7 are best for you.
Grade 7 are usually social competitions at your local venue; Grade 6 are one-day events for those new to competing; and Grade 5 are for club, local or county player looking to compete in your first rankings tournament.
Discover more about Adult and Junior competitions and the different competition grades.
LTA Youth tennis competitions
As part of your junior tennis programme LTA Youth, there are a host of different competitions that kids can get involved with if they are just starting out:
- Team Challenge - small teams go head-to-head in a series of quick-fire matches
- Matchplay - a series of quick singles and doubles matches against junior players of a similar ability
- Local Tour - a range of tournaments throughout the year for children aged 18 and under
Kids can get involved in competitions from the age of four through LTA Youth Compete, which offers fun and exciting games for junior players on the programme.
From there, we have competitions for all ages and abilities at a junior, adult and senior level.
Learn more about the which competitions your child can enter with out Competition Age Group Calculator.
It doesn't matter who you are, your age or your ability - anyone can play in our tennis competitions.
For kids, we have LTA Youth Compete - including Team Challenge, Local Tour and - to give a fun introduction to playing regular competitions.
Then for adults just starting out competing or looking to get back into tennis, Barclays Local Tennis Leagues are a great option to challenge players in your local area. We'll match you up with players of a similar standard so you can arrange and play matches at a time that suits you.
As you progress, we have competitions to suit your standard at count, regional and even national level.
We also host a wide rande of disability competitions for wheelchair, deaf, visually impaired and learning disability players across the country.
To enter a competition, you will need an ITF World Tennis Number.
What is the ITF World Tennis Number? It’s a real-time skill rating based on your previous match results to help competition organisers match you with players across Britain and the world of a similar standard. It can be a big help in also deciding what competition to enter to find the right level for you.
To get your ITF World Tennis Number, all you have to do is sign up as either a Play, Play+ or Compete member on Advantage.
If you had a previous LTA Rating, your number will be generated automatically – otherwise you’ll just need to fill out a short questionnaire and then we'll have you set up in no time.
Once you have your Number you can enter competitions – it’s that simple.
If you’re already a member you’ll be able to find your ITF World Tennis Number on your My Game area in Advantage.
To enter a tennis competition, just follow these simple steps:
- Sign up to Advantage to get your ITF World Tennis Number.
- Search for your next tournament here.
- Select which event you want to enter.
- Complete the online entry process.
- Then you’re all set and ready to go – it’s that easy.
If you want to sign up for a Barclays Local Tennis League head to our dedicated page to find out more and download our app:
If you're a parent or carer with a child who is keen to start competing we've put together an online, interactive guide containing key information to help you support your child.
The guide covers:
- The benefits of playing in tennis competitions and the life skills your child can develop through competing
- Things to consider before your child starts competing
- What to expect at tennis competitions and how to positively support your child
- What happens after your child has played a competition
Click below to read "Ready, Play" - An online guide to competition for parents and carers