Performance Development
Anti-doping
Tennis Ireland has adopted the Sport Ireland Anti-Doping Rules which are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code.
The policy of Tennis Ireland is that doping is contrary to the spirit of FAIR PLAY and all players have a responsibility to ensure that tennis is free of doping.
Find out all you need to know about Anti-Doping on the link below
Davis Cup
Davis Cup is now the world’s largest annual international team competition in sport.
Most recently Ireland competed against Austria on 3rd and 4th February 2024 in Limerick in the World Group I Playoffs, losing the tie 4-0.
Next Performance: Ireland vs Tunisia, September 2024 in World Group II.
Venue: Tunisia (TBC)
Check back for more details available soon.
Team
Team Captain: Conor Niland
Team that faced Austria in February 2024:
- Michael Agwi
- Osgar O’Hoisin
- Simon Carr
- Conor Gannon
- David O’Hare
- Captain: Conor Niland
Billie Jean King Cup
The Billie Jean King Cup (formerly known as Federation Cup (1963-1955) and Fed Cup (1995-2020) was launched in 1963 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation. It is now the world’s largest annual international team competition in women’s sport.
In 2023 Ireland competed in Europe/Africa Group II in Lisbon, Portugal. The team were demoted to Europe Group III for 2024 after close performances against South Africa and Kosovo.
Next performance: Europe Group III in June 2024 in Chisinau, Moldova week commencing 17th June.
2024 TEAM
Team Captain: John McGahon
2024 Billie Jean King Cup team:
- Celine Simunyu
- Sarah Hawkshaw
- Sinéad Lohan
- Olwyn Ryan-Bovey
- Shauna Heffernan
Team Ireland Programme
In 2020, Tennis Ireland launched the Team Ireland Programme with the support of Sport Ireland to provide funding and assistance for Irish Tennis Players in their professional careers.
The Team Ireland Tennis Programme provides ringfenced funding and non-financial support to assist Irish Tennis Players, both male and female, based on achievement of specific performance benchmarks.
The objective of this support is to help our leading players offset some of the costs associated with equipment, training, and the necessity for regular international travel (at both junior and at professional level) so they can compete at the highest level possible.
The Team Ireland programme is governed by a committee which was specifically established to oversee the operation of the scheme and to consider applications received.
Under the scheme there are 4 Tiers, including a tier for Wheelchair athletes and a Bridging Tier for players who are transitioning from Junior to Pro tennis or from College to Pro tennis. Players are invited to apply for funding once they meet the criteria as per the application guidelines.
2024 Guidelines and Application Form
Team Ireland Programme Guidelines 2024
Team Ireland Application Form March 2024
Applications for 2024 are available from 28th March 2024 and close Friday 19th April at 5pm.
2023 Recipients
The following players were awarded funding for 2023:
- Celine Simunyu
- Garreth Greene
In 2022 Celine Simunyu progressed from the Junior tour to the Women’s tour, achieving a WTA ranking of 1210 by end of 2022 and added 3 doubles titles to her name.
Ireland’s No.1 Wheelchair tennis player Garreth Greene is also in receipt of funding for 2023 after achieving a ranking of 85 by end of 2022 and is continuing to work hard to qualify for the Paralympics in 2024.
Tennis Ireland would like to thank Sport Ireland for their continued support for the Team Ireland Programme.
2023 International Junior Tours
At the beginning of 2023, Ireland competed in the Tennis Europe Winter Cups, sending teams to 14&U and 16&U events creating opportunities for players to experience playing against some of the best players in Europe.
Please see the entries for summer tournaments in 2023 including the National Ranking Cut-off for selection.
Tennis Ireland will select and contact the top 3 boys and top 3 girls in the ranking cut-off directly that week to represent their country.
European Championships
In each event the top 2 girls and top 2 boys in the ranking cut off will be selected and contacted by Tennis Ireland directly to represent their country.
Eligibility Criteria
Players must:
- Hold a current valid Irish passport of that nation; or
- Have lived in the nation for two consecutive years, does not hold a passport but has a genuine reason for being unable to hold or make an application for a passport, and either:
- Was born or one of their parents or grandparents was born in that nation; or
- Has the right to remain permanently, or has been granted humanitarian protection in that nation;
- Shall not have represented any other nation at ITF Junior Team Competition level*
Junior Four Nations will take place in September 2023 in Wrexham for 12&U, 14&U and 18&U. Details around selection will be available in the coming months.
