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
Victoria Azarenka reveals how Novak Djokovic is inspiring her to reach for more
How world No 1 Novak Djokovic is inspiring Victoria Azarenka to reach for more.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner can’t control his laughter as he hits his physio in a ‘really important’ spot
Physio Giacomo Naldi was in Jannik Sinner’s line of fire at the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray faces agonising waiting game after ankle injury nightmare
Andy Murray waiting to hear whether he still has a chance to end his career at Wimbledon this summer.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev admits it ‘didn’t smell good’ as he mounts amazing Miami comeback
Daniil Medvedev bounced back from a desperate position in the first set tie-break to beat Dominik Koepfer.
-
Tennis News
Final moments of the Novak Djokovic era of dominance were hard to identify
Novak Djokovic’s reign as the king of men’s tennis appeared to be set to run and run – but the mood has changed.
-
Tennis News
Juan Martin del Potro makes Novak Djokovic claim as he weighs in on GOAT debate
“I believe that if he wins a couple more Grand Slams, there will no longer be a discussion.”
-
Tennis News
Emma Raducanu set for another rankings fall – but the only way is up now
Emma Raducanu is projected to tumble down the WTA rankings when the new list is released next week.
-
Tennis News
Gael Monfils makes brutal Carlos Alcaraz admission as he describes facing the Spaniard
“I feel like I’m getting eaten up, but at the same time, I feel like I’m playing well.”
-
Tennis News
Coco Gauff makes Novak Djokovic confession and reveals she modelled key shot after the Serb
“I tried to model it after Novak Djokovic a lot. That’s where that inspiration comes from.”
-
ATP Tour
Lorenzo Musetti told what he needs to do to beat ‘inspirational’ Carlos Alcaraz
“Alcaraz can play through you, he can play around you, he can bring you in so I just don’t know where Musetti goes.”