CELEBRATING OUR SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WTA, INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF GIRLS THROUGH TENNIS

With the 2026 Grand Slam season now behind us, the Elena Baltacha Foundation celebrates its very special relationship with the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), a partnership that continues to provide extraordinary opportunities, unforgettable experiences, and lasting inspiration for young girls.

As another wonderful Grand Slam season comes to a close, it is the perfect time to reflect on the incredible support the Elena Baltacha Foundation continues to receive from the WTA.

For our Foundation, this relationship means so much more than tennis. It is about creating opportunities, building confidence, raising aspirations, and introducing young girls to experiences that might otherwise be beyond their reach.

Through the generosity and commitment of the WTA, our girls have opportunities to meet world-class professional tennis players, participate in exciting events, and discover the remarkable possibilities that sport can offer.

WTA Come Play—A Very Special Day at the National Tennis Centre

One of the highlights of our year was the 2026 WTA Come Play event, held on Friday 26 June at the Lawn Tennis Association's National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Roehampton, London, just ahead of Wimbledon.

WTA Come Play is a fantastic initiative designed to introduce young people to tennis, encourage participation, and demonstrate the positive impact sport can have on their lives.

The programme brings together professional tennis players, coaches, and young participants in a welcoming and enjoyable environment where everyone is encouraged to get involved, develop new skills, and, most importantly, have fun.

For the Elena Baltacha Foundation, the event fits perfectly with our mission of making tennis accessible to girls who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the sport.

Working through our established network of partner schools, the Foundation organises and coordinates the attendance of girls involved in our tennis programmes, ensuring that these wonderful opportunities reach the young people who can benefit most.

For many of our girls, visiting the National Tennis Centre, stepping onto its courts and meeting professional players is an unforgettable experience.

Judy Murray – An Inspirational Leader Who Makes All the Difference

A particularly special part of the event was the involvement of Judy Murray, who led the activities and brought her remarkable experience, enthusiasm and passion for developing young players to the occasion.

Judy has dedicated so much of her life to encouraging participation in tennis, particularly among women and girls. Her work in grassroots tennis and her determination to make the sport more accessible have inspired countless young people across the country.

As the WTA Foundation's Community Ambassador, Judy's leadership at Come Play brings something truly special to the event.

Her ability to engage with young people, make tennis enjoyable and create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome is exceptional. Whether encouraging a beginner, sharing advice or simply bringing her infectious enthusiasm onto the court, Judy has a wonderful way of making every participant feel important.

For our Foundation girls, having someone of Judy's standing take such a personal interest in their experience is incredibly powerful. It demonstrates that the leading figures in tennis genuinely care about their development, enjoyment, and future opportunities.

Judy's presence also makes a tremendous difference to the teachers, coaches, volunteers, and everyone involved in delivering the event. Her knowledge, encouragement, and commitment to grassroots tennis are an inspiration to us all.

We cannot thank Judy enough for her leadership, generosity, and continued dedication to giving young girls the confidence to pick up a racket and believe in themselves.

Her involvement makes an already special occasion even more memorable.

Three Wonderful WTA Players Who Inspired Our Girls

We were absolutely delighted that three outstanding professional tennis players generously gave their time to support this year's Come Play event.

Donna Vekić

Our heartfelt thanks go to Croatian tennis star Donna Vekić, an Olympic silver medallist and Wimbledon semi-finalist, for supporting this wonderful occasion. Donna's achievements at the highest level of international tennis make her an inspirational role model. We are enormously grateful for her generosity, encouragement, and willingness to help young girls discover the enjoyment and opportunities tennis can bring.

Leylah Fernandez

A huge thank you to Canadian star Leylah Fernandez, whose remarkable journey to the 2021 US Open final captured the imagination of tennis fans around the world. Leylah's determination, energy, and enthusiasm make her a fantastic inspiration for young players. Her kindness and support help demonstrate that dreams can become reality through dedication, perseverance, and self-belief.

Katie Swan

We are equally grateful to British professional Katie Swan for joining us and supporting this special event. Katie's journey through British tennis, from talented junior to professional player, provides an inspiring example of commitment and resilience. Her involvement is particularly meaningful for our girls, showing them that extraordinary tennis journeys can begin on courts much like their own.

Our Thanks to the LTA.

We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the Lawn Tennis Association for making the National Tennis Centre available for this wonderful event.

The NTC is one of the most prestigious tennis facilities in Britain, and the opportunity for our Foundation girls to experience such an outstanding venue is something truly special.

Walking through the doors of a world-class training center, playing on its courts, and meeting professional players helps our girls feel that they belong in the world of tennis.

We are extremely grateful to the LTA for its hospitality, generosity, and commitment to supporting opportunities for young people.

Experiences That Can Change Lives

What makes our relationship with the WTA so valuable is the lasting impact these experiences can have on the girls who attend.

At the Elena Baltacha Foundation, we believe tennis is about much more than learning to serve, rally, or win matches.

It is about developing confidence, building friendships, encouraging teamwork, learning resilience, and discovering the satisfaction of achieving something new.

For some of our girls, meeting a professional tennis player or receiving encouragement from someone like Judy Murray may be a defining moment.

Suddenly, the world of professional tennis feels closer, more welcoming, and more achievable.

These experiences help break down barriers, raise aspirations, and show young girls that they deserve opportunities to participate, develop, and succeed.

Not every girl who attends a WTA event will become a professional tennis player, and that has never been our ultimate ambition.

Our ambition is to help every girl recognise her potential, enjoy being active, and develop the confidence to embrace new opportunities, both on and off the tennis court.

The WTA's continued support helps us achieve exactly that.

Continuing Elena's Legacy Together

The Elena Baltacha Foundation was established to honour the memory and continue the legacy of Elena Baltacha, whose love of tennis was matched by her determination to give young people greater access to the sport.

Elena understood how important encouragement and opportunity can be, particularly for girls who might otherwise face barriers to participation.

Our special relationship with the WTA allows us to continue Elena's vision in a meaningful and inspiring way.

We extend our warmest thanks to the WTA and WTA Foundation, to Judy Murray for her outstanding leadership, to Donna Vekić, Leylah Fernandez, and Katie Swan for their generous support, and to the LTA for hosting such a memorable occasion.

We also thank the schools, teachers, coaches, and volunteers who help make these experiences possible for our Foundation girls.

As we look ahead, we are excited to continue strengthening our wonderful relationship with the WTA and creating more unforgettable opportunities for girls across our schools network.

Because sometimes one special day, one encouraging word, or one unforgettable experience alongside a sporting hero can inspire a young girl for a lifetime.

That is the power of tennis. That is the importance of our partnership with the WTA. And that is the legacy of Elena Baltacha.