Leylah Fernandez sparks inspiration during visit with community groups at the Rothesay Classic Birmingham

LTA SERVES is an industry leading sport for development programme aimed at people from underserved communities across Great Britain, taking tennis into the heart of communities and delivering tennis in non-traditional venues such as community centres, youth clubs and faith centres.

At the core of the groups and nonprofit organisations who deliver LTA SERVES is the shared ambition to create opportunity and individual development, with a focus on those from underserved communities, through encouraging them to get active and experience the physical, social and mental benefits of tennis.

LTA SERVES Activator, and Black Tennis Mentor, Bee Asante spoke on the ethos behind the programme: “One of my favourite things Novak Djokovic said was as a child, he played in pools and needed only two rackets and a ball, and that was it.

“I think LTA SERVES is exemplifying this by bringing tennis into the heart of local neighbourhoods that wouldn’t have access to traditional tennis courts and facilities. 

“Just seeing that they’re setting up nets, courts and rackets, and teaching everyone is amazing.”

The Black Tennis Mentors UK programme, founded by LTA accredited Tennis Coach Arum Akom, is a digital platform developed to action change, supporting and bringing the nation’s black tennis leaders to the fore.  

Also among those in attendance was not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) Sports Key, who focus on uniting Birmingham’s diverse communities through the power of sport, while charity Nishkam SWAT ‘transform financially underserved communities by focusing on project’s which make a difference to people’s lives in the short term and improve their prospects in the long term.’

This is the second successive year community groups who deliver the programme were in attendance, after Carolle and Iman Tennis, Sunnah Sports, and Achieving Goalz and Dreams were surprised by an unexpected visit from megastar - and one half of the world-renowned Williams’ sibling dynasty - Venus Williams.

“Leylah Fernandez’s advice was for us to be our true selves, and that meant a lot to me, especially as my goal is to pursue my dream of becoming a professional athlete” said 17-year-old Sky Pedro-Ward.

Meanwhile, founder of Black Tennis Mentors UK and Project AA, Arum said, “Leylah is only 21, so she resonates with the groups of girls and others here today as they’re closer in age.

“She was able to pass on some great advice that will hopefully continue to inspire them to keep playing for years to come.

Billed as the next generation of tennis talent, Fernandez has had a decorated career since making her professional debut on the ITF Circuit in 2016.

Aside from reaching the 2021 US Open final a matter of days after celebrating her 19th birthday, Fernandez has reached as high as world No.13 in the WTA rankings, lifting a total three WTA titles, with her most recent coming in the 2023 Hong Kong Tennis Open.

After joining in on the day’s action, Fernandez said: “It’s amazing to see such a diverse group of people playing tennis and having full all together.

“I think the vision behind Tennis Opened Up is extremely important and I believe we’re on the right track because every year more events showcase the importance of diversity and inclusion, and the response is undeniable. The more organisations getting behind these types of programmes and movements, the better.”

In its essence, LTA SERVES is underpinned by our drive for diversity and inclusion, and the continual push for gender balance is also laced into the wider programmes we deliver.

Speaking on the importance of female representation in the game, LTA SERVES Activator Bee added, “I can only speak from experience, but I grew up in a high-tennis culture in the middle of Florida and I don’t remember seeing many female coaches.

“So, as I’ve grown in the sport, seeing more and more female representation on and off court – and more specifically in the mentor and coaching space - has been critical and just empowering.”  

Montréal-born Fernandez wasn’t the only tennis talent to offer some uplifting words on the day as the former collegiate tennis player Bee continued by providing her own insight into how the games’ teachings can translate into everyday life.

“I treat every day like game, set, and match,” she explained.

“I set up a goal; I action that goal; I execute that goal and therefore it’s match and match point for the day.

“More importantly, I believe it’s an individual sport that teaches you to become even closer with yourself and helps you to understand what you want to do, what choices you’re going to make, and the fact that your choices have consequences.

“Tennis teaches you to be the champion you want to be. If you want to win mini tennis or if you want to win a whole Grand Slam, the choice is yours.”