Babolat extends partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has announced a four year extension to its partnership with Babolat, one of the world's leading tennis equipment brands.

2014 will see the development of Babolat Play, the world's first connected racket which will support performance analysis (see video at the end of this article). The new agreement, which will extend until 2017, will also see continued support by Babolat of grass roots projects to support the LTA's drive to get more people playing tennis more often.

Babolat joined the LTA's commercial programme in 2009.

LTA Commercial Director, Lawrence Robertson, said: "Babolat are leading the way in innovation in the tennis marketplace and we're delighted that they have again chosen to partner with the LTA to further support their continued growth and expansion across the UK. We look forward to working closely with them as we both strive to get more people playing our great sport more often".

Babolat UK Sales and Marketing Director, Franck Debeauvais, said: "We are delighted to extend our existing partnership with the LTA for another four years. It is an exciting time for British tennis, and we look forward to working together with the LTA to further develop and grow the sport in Great Britain, at both performance and grass roots levels".

Babolat also has a long heritage in stringing services, and in addition to being appointed the Official Stringer of the Aegon Championships, Aegon Classic and Aegon International, will also be offering support and advice to coaches, stringers and tournaments nationwide.

Babolat is one of the world’s leading tennis equipment manufacturers, and has built relations with some of the world's best players, including Rafael Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Na Li and Agnieszka Radwanska, as well as several talented British players including Johanna Konta, Dom Inglot, Luke Bambridge, Jonny O'Mara and Harriet Dart.