What’s the idea behind the Kids’ Zone?

The idea behind the Kids’ Zone is fun and getting everyone involved in the sport and, specifically here at Wimbledon, it’s for the children who, after an hour on a tennis court are getting a little bit fidgety and want to come and have a go themselves. Obviously they’ve been motivated out there watching the tennis and they want to come in here and have a go themselves.

Can you tell us more about the activities?

We offer a mini tennis court with softer balls and smaller racquets. We’ve got a speed-of-serve radar gun which lets you know how fast you’ve served. There’s a twister which is like a whirlwind and you’ve got to catch as many balls as you can, lots of computer games and hand-eye co-ordination games.

What happens to the Kids’ Zone after Wimbledon finishes?

Once Wimbledon finishes the Kids’ Zone goes right across the country. On behalf of the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) we go into city centres, town centres, parks. You name it, we go right across the country trying to engage the non tennis-playing public into the sport.

Is there a website to find out more?

Yes, if you go onto the main LTA website there’s a map on there of where we are round the country and where we’re next going to be.

Have you ever had any famous people visit?

We have. We have had John Terry, the sometimes England captain. We’ve had Peter Crouch. We’ve had a couple of boy bands like The Wanted. And, every day, we have a couple of tennis players coming down getting involved and hitting with the kids.

What do you think about the future of British tennis?

After seeing all the children in here this week I think the future’s looking good. There’s lots of talent out there and quite a lot of our juniors are doing well this week so I think the future’s looking good.