Suffolk coach says Wimbledon is inspiring the next generation
The Suffolk Tennis Academy say they're thrilled to see more people become interested in the sport
“Pick up a racket and give it a go”: Suffolk coach on how Wimbledon is inspiring the next generation
As the world’s greatest tennis stars serve up the drama at Wimbledon, a Suffolk coach says the tournament is having a powerful impact far beyond the court, inspiring a new generation to pick up a racket for the very first time.
Ben Coupe, the head coach based at Suffolk Tennis Academy and Recreation, was part of the gym and recovery team at Wimbledon this year, making sure top players had everything they needed to warm up, cool down, and stay tournament-ready. He told us what he was doing to help.
“Our role is to make sure the players have everything they need in the gym areas when they’re doing their warm-ups, their cool downs, getting ready for ice baths… so yeah, just making sure they’ve got everything they need and they feel well prepared,” he said.
It was Coupe’s first time working at Wimbledon, and he described it as “an incredible experience.”
“To be around the likes of Djokovic, Sinner, Sabalenka, Emma Raducanu… It’s quite amazing,” he said. “Most of them are really friendly. Happy to give you some time and chat to you. Great people.”
One standout moment? Meeting Novak Djokovic up close.
“I’ve been a fan of him for many years, but to see him in the flesh training… he’s another level. He’s so intense the way he practices, but also he’s got a really fun, jokey side, got a great sense of humour, gets everyone involved around him, just an incredible athlete.”
Back home in Suffolk, Coupe says the effect of Wimbledon can be seen everywhere, from bunting in windows to rackets in trees.
“You see it working around the local area, kids, families… they’re loving it. Some of them who are lucky enough to go and watch... that’s all they’re talking about. It’s a really powerful time for tennis.”
Inspiring others
He’s seen a big spike in interest from local kids and parents too.
“They get the rackets out from the cupboard for a couple of weeks, get really excited about it… But also it’s an important time to realise that tennis isn’t just a summer sport. We play and train all year round. Myself personally, I’ve done 100 lessons in negative degrees temperatures, we never stop.”
Coupe, who started playing at eight years old thanks to an enthusiastic grandmother, says coaching has been his passion ever since his teens, and seeing kids fall in love with the sport is the biggest reward.
“Some are playing three, four times a week… their parents are playing three times a week. It’s really infectious and I think once you’ve got the bug for tennis it’s really hard to let it go.”
For younger kids just starting out, it’s the magic of the moment that makes the biggest difference.
“They’ll say: ‘I watched someone playing tennis on the television and it was amazing. I want to have a big serve like him. I want to have a big backhand like her.’”
As they grow, so do their dreams.
“They say, ‘I want to be the next Wimbledon champion. I want to be Emma Raducanu.’ That’s really powerful.”
Coupe’s coached players from all backgrounds, including children with disabilities, and says better accessibility and awareness are vital.
“Wheelchair tennis wheelchairs are very expensive. And finding group sessions is harder because there’s not as many of them as we’d like to see. So I think bringing awareness to it, getting more people involved, letting them know they can do it, would be an amazing thing to see.”
His message to anyone on the fence about picking up a racket?
“No matter how good or bad you think you are at tennis, or you think you just couldn’t do it, you can. Any level and ability, there is some level of tennis for you somewhere… so be brave this summer, or winter, pick up a racket, get to a club, come and have a go.”