Putney’s tennis lovers have a new place to play as Barn Elms Sports Centre reopens its 10 courts following a major renovation.
The courts reopened last week after work funded by the government and LTA Tennis Foundation’s Park Tennis Project. The renovation includes new surfaces, fencing, nets and gates.
The courts can now be booked through the LTA website. There are five “hard courts” with a professional finish, and five tarmac painted courts that are booked through two different links.
Those residents signed up the council’s Access for All programme can also get free coaching and court time (in addition to free school meals, discounted Lime bike rentals, and reduced-price tickets to the theatre).
Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted to see park tennis courts at Barn Elms officially re-open to the public, and in better shape than ever. Park tennis courts are vital for providing people with opportunities to pick up a racket, and we want as many people as possible, of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, to enjoy playing tennis and being active.”
Putney Common courts set for Spring 2026 revival
Meanwhile, tennis players near Putney Lower Common are waiting for their courts to undergo their own transformation after being closed for a year.
The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators (WPCC) announced in July that All Star Tennis will manage the five courts next to All Saints School, aiming to reopen in spring 2026.
The courts closed last year after falling into poor condition. Two courts were deemed “extremely poor and unplayable” while the others were below standard. All net post holes were cemented in, making the courts unusable even temporarily.
Local campaigner Shane McCarthy had urged the community to “pull in the same direction” to push the project forward, warning that delays had already cost residents “an entire season of play.” His persistence, along with growing community pressure, appears to have helped secure the commitment needed to move the project forward.
WPCC will fund the complete refurbishment from reserves, including restoring the pavilion and fixing the cemented net posts.
All Star Tennis already manages 28 courts across six local sites including Wandsworth Common and Tooting Common. Players book through the company’s app.
WPCC Chief Executive Colin Cooper noted the decision marks a key step toward providing high‑quality, accessible facilities with pay‑and‑play access on all five courts.
The Complex science of tennis court refurbishment
Both projects highlight the technical complexity and precise requirements involved in professional tennis court resurfacing.
Tennis court resurfacing requires specific weather conditions to work properly. Work must happen when temperatures are at least 50°F (10°C) and rising, continuing for 24 hours after application.
The resurfacing process involves multiple critical stages. First, courts undergo thorough surface preparation including cleaning, crack repair, and leveling of any uneven areas. Acrylic resurfacer is then applied as a base coat to fill voids in the pavement and create texture. Finally, multiple layers of colored acrylic coating are applied to create the finished playing surface.
The acrylic coating typically dries within an hour in sunny, warm conditions, but shade, cold and humidity slow this down. However, drying and curing are different processes. While courts may look ready within hours, the coating needs time to properly bond together, requiring dry conditions above 50°F. The full curing process takes 48 hours before courts can be used safely.
This weather dependency explains why resurfacing projects are scheduled for specific seasons and can face delays if conditions worsen.
Tennis courts typically require resurfacing every 5-8 years for hard courts, depending on usage levels, climate conditions, and maintenance quality. Courts in public parks or schools that see heavy daily use may require more frequent resurfacing than private courts with lighter usage patterns.
Part of National Tennis Investment Programme
Both projects are part of a £45 million national investment programme transforming over 3,000 park tennis courts across Britain.
The courts will be maintained at their new high standard for years to come, while the involvement of experienced operator All Star Tennis and committed funding from WPCC suggests Putney’s long-delayed project will finally deliver the high-quality tennis facility the community has been asking for.
The Putney Common courts will also be ‘open and unenclosed’ as per the 1871 Act that governs the commons. Quite how this aligns with ‘pay and play’ remains to be seen.