Book your tennis year, refresh your resolutions and London’s loveliest court (discuss!)
by Ruth Jarvis
SELT Team
Telegraph Hill?
The two newly upgraded courts in Telegraph Hill’s Upper Park have a lovely setting in this hilltop park (once a semaphore station), with fantastic views of central London.
Facilities Two courts, café.
SELT programme (Sundays): Tennis Xpress beginners course; improver/intermediate coaching; junior coaching for 5-16s.
How’s the parking? Free, on streets next to the park.
And the public transport? it’s right next to Nunhead rail station, with New Cross Gate and Brockley also within walking distance; and the 343 and 484 buses pass by.
Is there a café? Oh, yes. The Hill Station, adjacent to the park on Kitto Road, is one of south London’s most-loved community venues, with a popular bar, evening pizza (Thur-Sun), music and events most nights and a shop selling the work of local makers.
Claims to fame The ‘urban hamlet’ of Telegraph Hill was named one of the best places to live in London by the Sunday Times last year, with a special mention for the tennis courts (along with the ‘creative, bohemian’ residents 😉). Another local winner is the popular Skehans, chosen as London’s best pub by Time Out.
You might have noticed some new outdoor gym equipment pop up near the Hilly Fields tennis courts. The four sturdy new machines from British manufacturer Wicksteed – a skier, a rower, a pedal bike and a hand bike – complement the various bars and benches nearby for people who want to put together a full outdoor workout.
If you’re up on Hilly Fields for a game of tennis with some time to spare, five or so minutes on the skier makes for a gentle, low-impact cardio/joint warm-up, particularly important on these cold winter days. It’s also a good way to cool down after intensive play on a hot day. The hand bike is great for toning arms, shoulders and upper body; good forearm strength helps with grip and wrist stability. The rowing machine, whose foot-to-hand action mirrors the kinetic chain of a tennis stroke, is another warm-down option, and an effective element within a broader workout programme, developing both leg and arm strength. If you’re new to outdoor gym machines, there are printed instructions and QR codes to scan for video guides. If you feel a bit self-conscious the first time, take a friend along and have a laugh figuring it out together.
How are those resolutions going? According to Forbes, most have fallen by the wayside by February. The key is to make positive, sustainable changes that build on something that you already enjoy – like tennis! Here are our top tips.
🎾 Has your tennis life started to feel a bit routine? Why not book a court at a new venue like Telegraph Hill, where you can appreciate the views while playing. Or mix up your tennis and join a cardio fitness class or social doubles play session, and meet other like-minded people.
🎾 The weather has been tricky these past few weeks, making this the perfect time to take up pickleball. We run regular three-week beginners’ courses (next one starts Monday 9 February; book here). They’re held at our indoor venue, so we promise no weather disruptions.
🎾 Get your racket restrung! It’s an instant win for power and control as well as protecting your arm from injury. A dull sound on impact or a lack of responsiveness are giveaways that it’s time.
🎾 Sort out that gap or glitch in your game by booking a private lesson with one of our LTA-accredited coaches. Prices are really reasonable and we can usually arrange just one or two classes if that’s what you would like.
🎾 Take your first step into competitive play. Barclays Local Tennis Leagues operate year-round in Lewisham and are friendly and welcoming for all levels.
🎾 Never been to a tennis tournament? Watching the pros isn’t just fun, it will feed into your own development as a player. See below!
And if you need a bit of motivation, the science continues to show just how good tennis is for you. We’re going to be doing a deep dive into its benefits for mental and physical health throughout 2026: here’s a quick taster.
🏆 The Guardian has chosen cardio tennis as the best exercise for people in their 20s. It meets the needs of that age group by combining the benefits of a HIIT class with a fun social scene, say their experts. Social connection is increasingly recognised as a major factor in mental health.
🏆 Tennis could be the best sport for longevity, says the New York Times, referring to its unique blend of physical, cognitive and social challenges, and relatively low impact on the body.
🏆 A new study has found that racket-sport players have the fastest mean reaction times compared to other sports, indicating a superior ‘cognitive load profile’ that trains the brain to process information faster, resulting in high-level decision-making and emotional-regulation skills.’ 😊
Daniel Cooper, Wikimedia Commons
The Wimbledon ballot is now closed, but to be sure of your seat, this is the time of year to book the other big events in the UK tennis calendar:
8-21 June HSBC Championships, Queen’s Club
The men’s ATP 500 tournament has already sold out, but tickets are still available for the women’s event, including ground admission, from the LTA. You can still apply to be on the volunteer team, too, here. Emma Raducanu has signed up to play.
20-27 June Lexus Eastbourne Open
Booking for this tournament, which as a 250 event is a little less expensive than Queen’s, opens to the public on February 10 and to LTA Advantage Fan+ members the week before (the LTA Advantage status that comes with Play Tennis Lewisham membership doesn’t apply).
25-27 September Laver Cup, The O2
The Laver Cup is an annual ATP team event played between Europe and ‘the rest of the world’. This year’s edition is down the road at the O2. Ticket packages go on sale in February, and single session tickets in May. It usually attracts some of the biggest names, with prices to match.
Whether up on the Hill or down in the Ravensbourne valley
See you on court!
Chris, Michael and the SELT team
Website by Dan Stevens