She Rallies
The LTA release a new commitment to championing women and girls’ tennis at HSBC Championships at event in collaboration with the Women’s Sport Collective
In a powerful show of intent, the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) has unveiled the next phase of its She Rallies plan to drive gender equality in tennis and padel, during a landmark event held at the HSBC Championships at The Queen’s Club — the first professional women’s tournament at the venue in over 50 years.
Hosted in collaboration with Sue Anstiss and the Women’s Sport Collective, the event brought together around 60 senior leaders from across the sporting landscape to reflect on progress and reignite efforts to elevate women in sport. With backing from FAGE – the official supporter of LTA Women and Girls – the gathering highlighted the importance of visibility, participation, and representation across every corner of the sport.
A Vision for Gender Equity
Launched in 2022, She Rallies is central to the LTA’s wider vision of “Tennis Opened Up” – a long-term commitment to making tennis and padel truly gender-equal sports in Britain.
Now, the LTA is building on that foundation with fresh initiatives designed to:
Enhance visibility of women at every level of the game, from grassroots to leadership roles;
Increase participation, closing the gender gap among junior and adult players;
Grow and support a representative workforce, empowering more women to lead, coach, and shape the sport’s future.
“This next phase of our She Rallies plan builds on the foundations we have laid over the last three years,” said Jo Anne Downing, LTA Programme Strategy Manager. “It was inspiring to see so many people working together to achieve genuine gender equality in sports. I’m confident we can go even further and turn that vision into lasting change.”
Progress on and off the court
Since the inception of She Rallies, the LTA has made significant progress:
Prize Money Equity: A key milestone was announced last week – a commitment to equal prize money at men’s and women’s events at the HSBC Championships and Lexus Eastbourne Open by 2029.
Youth Engagement: Through the Prime Video LTA Youth Girls programme – inspired by Emma Raducanu’s historic US Open win – over 10,000 girls have been introduced to tennis for the first time.
Inclusive Coaching: More women are now training to become coaches, while existing coaches receive support to foster inclusive environments across the board.
Elite Exposure: By hosting major events like the Billie Jean King Cup Finals and promoting balanced draws at all grass court events, the LTA is ensuring women’s tennis receives the visibility it deserves.
The Road Ahead
Despite tennis being one of the most gender-balanced sports in Britain, challenges persist: fewer women play or coach than men, and representation in leadership, media coverage, and decision-making remains uneven.
The LTA acknowledges the broader societal barriers women face — from caregiving responsibilities to stereotypes and inactivity — and recognises its role in driving change beyond the baseline.
Through its renewed focus and collaboration with partners like the Women’s Sport Collective, the LTA aims to be at the forefront of gender equity in British sport.
Join the Rally
The full updated She Rallies plan, outlining goals through 2029, is now available to explore here.
As one of the most progressive governing bodies in UK sport, the LTA’s latest commitments are a bold statement of intent — and a timely reminder that meaningful change happens when we come together, fearlessly.
For more information, visit www.lta.org.uk