England loses 183 tennis courts as padel facilities grow across the country

England has experienced a decline in tennis court availability for the first time since at least 2000. Data analysis from Sport England indicates that 183 tennis courts have been removed from the country's inventory since 2023. This reduction affects community-owned, local authority, school, and private facility courts. While the number of tennis courts has decreased, padel infrastructure has experienced significant growth during the same period. Padel facilities have expanded nearly sixfold throughout England. Despite the surge in the newer racquet sport, tennis courts currently continue to outnumber padel facilities by a ratio of 11 to one.

• 7:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — England losing tennis courts as number of padel facilities rises exponentially