Full impact of Covid-19 crisis on British tennis revealed as LTA confirms losses

The Lawn Tennis Association saw its income reduced by £30million in 2020 and suffered an operating loss of £5.2million.
The losses, which were reduced overall to £1.8million once gains in investments were taken into account, were largely the result of the wiping out of the grass-court season by coronavirus and measures put in place to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the domestic game.
The LTA received an annual surplus payment of just over £36million from Wimbledon thanks to the All England Club’s pandemic insurance – more than 75 per cent of the governing body’s income for 2020.
The surplus was nearly £10million lower than in 2019 while the LTA made just £676 from major events in 2020 compared to £14,372 the previous year, and commercial income was also severely reduced.
Losses were mitigated by the LTA saving £19.3million, but it invested nearly £5million to support coaches, venues, officials and tennis charities through the pandemic.
This year could turn out to be even more difficult, with Wimbledon set to take a major hit in income because of reduced spectator capacity and the same applying to the events run by the LTA at Queen’s Club, Nottingham, Birmingham and Eastbourne.
LTA chief executive Scott Lloyd said: “Last year was a challenging one for everyone but throughout the year we remained focused on reducing costs whilst continuing to support the tennis community. We made progress against our strategy of opening up tennis.
“This year we have the uncertainty created by a reduced capacity at the Championships and our own events, as well as the extra costs that Covid is imposing on our events.
“However, we will be continuing our efforts to make tennis a sport for everyone and transform the image of the sport in this country.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
WTA Tour
Exclusive – Tim Henman backing Emma Raducanu after her stunning return to form
Tim Henman has told Tennis365 that Emma Raducanu will stun the sporting world once again
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu blows past former World No 1 to reach last 16 in Cincy
Emma Raducanu was clearly the better player as she claimed her first win over a top 20 player since her US Open title run.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray hit by cramps again Cameron Norrie scrapes battle of the Brits
Andy Murray claimed the opening set but Cameron Norrie saved nine break points and downed the former World No 1.
-
US Open
US Open wildcards: Venus Williams and Dominic Thiem handed slots
Williams, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001, will compete at the age of 42.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Race to Turin: How things stand as tour rolls into Cincy
The ATP Race to Turin is getting tight.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal cautious but excited ahead of ATP Tour return
Rafael Nadal says that he ‘has to be careful’.
-
US Open
Gael Monfils’ injury woes continue as he withdraws from US Open
Gael Monfils ruled out of another Grand Slam.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu urged to stick with Dmitry Tursunov by former British No 1: ‘Her tactics were good’
Emma Raducanu and Dmitry Tursunov off to a good start in Cincy.
-
WTA Tour
Simona Halep hits $40m mark in WTA career-prize money earnings, only behind Serena and Venus Williams
A look at where Simona Halep sits on some of the all-time WTA lists.
-
Tennis News
Exclusive – John Lloyd opens up on his broken marriage to Chris Evert
John Lloyd believes his marriage to Chris Evert was doomed to fail as the pair were simply too young and had the eyes of the world on them.