Shaping an Inclusive Future: A 2026 LGBTQ+ Pride Month Message from Our Chair
James Swanson: Proud to serve this community today and every day.
As we look ahead to LGBTQ+ Pride Month it feels like a particularly important moment to reflect on the progress Pride in Tennis continues to make and the role our community plays in shaping a more inclusive future for our sport.
A Milestone Cup in Scotland
The Pride in Tennis Cup 2026 is a powerful example of that progress. Taking the tournament to Scotland for the first time following previous editions in England and Wales marks a significant milestone for us. It shows that this event is becoming more than an annual competition; it is helping build a national movement for LGBTQ+ inclusion across tennis.
What made me particularly proud about the event was the atmosphere that has grown around the tournament. The returning teams, new players, travelling supporters and more all contribute to something that feels competitive, welcoming and deeply rooted in community. The success of the tournament demonstrates what happens when inclusion is built into the fabric of an event from the outset. It also reinforces our wider ambition to set the standard for how inclusive tennis environments should be experienced across Great Britain.
Taking Pride to the Grass Courts
That mission becomes even more visible as we move into LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Once again we are looking forward to the Friday Pride Days across the six LTA summer grass court WTA and ATP events. This is an important opportunity to celebrate LGBTQ+ identities at some of the most visible moments in the British tennis calendar. These events give us the chance not only to celebrate our identity but to engage with players, fans, officials, clubs, volunteers and commercial brands about what meaningful visibility looks like in practice.
The Power of Visibility
Visibility has been a consistent theme for us this year. In January we were proud to support Greg Slade when he shared his story about his sexuality. Moments like that matter. They remind us that representation is not abstract; it has a real impact on people across the sports landscape who may be wondering whether tennis is a place where they can be their authentic self.
As Chair of the network I am proud of the way Pride in Tennis continues to combine visibility with action. Whether through delivering tournaments, promoting advocacy, intentional storytelling or developing new clubs our work is grounded in a simple belief: everyone should feel they belong.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support, volunteer, compete, advocate and show up across tennis in Great Britain. LGBTQ+ Pride Month is a time for celebration but it is also a reminder of the work still ahead. Together we are helping ensure that LGBTQ+ inclusion is not an add-on to tennis but an everyday part of the sport’s culture.
With huge thanks and endless pride,
James Swanson