Greenhouse Sports meet Kimberly Birrell at Lexus Nottingham Open
• 3 minute read
Greenhouse Sports, a funded LTA Tennis Foundation partner, is using the power of sport to transform young lives. As a youth development charity, Greenhouse Sports believes every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background.
Through sport and mentoring, they support young people facing poverty, helping them build confidence, recognise their strengths, and develop the skills needed to thrive. Each year, their dedicated coach-mentors work full-time with more than 8,000 young people, supporting them to spend more time in school, improve their wellbeing, and achieve better GCSE results.
The LTA Tennis Foundation proudly supports Greenhouse Sports to deliver tennis programmes in the schools they work with, opening up opportunities for young people to experience the sport in a meaningful and inspiring way.
A day to remember at the Lexus Nottingham Open
As part of their journey in tennis, a group of young people supported by Greenhouse Sports were invited to the Lexus Nottingham Open for a behind-the-scenes experience they won’t forget.
Hosted by the event’s MC, the group stepped into the world of professional tennis media with a press conference-style session. Here, they had the unique opportunity to meet top-100 Australian singles player Kimberly Birrell, ask questions, and learn more about life on tour.
The young people explored what it’s like to be both a professional athlete and a journalist, gaining insight into how press conferences work and the kinds of questions players are asked.
Some of their standout questions included:
What would you be if you weren’t a tennis player?
Kimberly shared that tennis had always been a big part of her life, so she might have stayed in the sport as a coach. She also revealed an interest in communications, having already completed some training in that area.
How do you stay calm during a stressful match?
Kimberly praised the question and explained how she manages pressure by controlling her emotions, focusing on her breathing, and resetting her focus point by point.
What is your favourite Grand Slam?
Kimberly highlighted the Australian Open as her favourite, as it gives her the chance to play in front of family and friends at home, while also sharing her love for Wimbledon.
I really enjoyed the press conference. As a keen tennis player and with aspirations to play at a high level, I was able to ask questions about things I struggle with in a match and see what Kim does.
The experience didn’t stop there. The group also had the chance to step onto court and hit with Indian doubles player Anirudh Chandrasekar, currently ranked inside the world’s top 100 in doubles.
Putting them through their paces, Chandrasekar gave the young players a taste of life as a professional, challenging them with some rallying on court, an unforgettable opportunity to test their skills and build confidence.
One young person from the group commented: “I really enjoyed the press conference. As a keen tennis player and with aspirations to play at a high level, I was able to ask questions about things I struggle with in a match and see what Kim does.”
Another shared their enjoyment of the day, particularly the chance to watch players in the practice area: “To experience that environment was amazing, and to see Leylah Fernandez, Maria Sakkari, and Katie Boulter training from so close up was great – listening to what coaches were saying and what they were working on, especially adapting to grass from clay.”
Speaking to the group’s coach, Adam, who accompanied them for the day: "It was a great day! Thank you to the LTA Tennis Foundation for giving our participants an experience that they won’t forget - being in the Media Centre and being able to ask Kim Birrell questions about her tennis career and personal life. Also, the chance to play with a pro doubles player on the mini courts was fantastic. Both these opportunities allow participants to build social skills, confidence, and step outside their comfort zone.”
Experiences like this highlight the impact of partnerships between the LTA Tennis Foundation and organisations like Greenhouse Sports. By combining sport, mentoring, and access to high-level events, young people are given opportunities to broaden their horizons and believe in their potential.
