In Britain we have to pay to play on most public tennis courts. Most charging Councils justify this payment because they say that they have to fund the upkeep and maintenance of the courts. They also have to pay the man who comes round and collects your money and throws you off the court if you overstay your hour.

This is a policy which has developed over the years, but is very often at odds with what the council would really like to see happening. Councils would love to see their tennis courts being used.

Nobody wins if they are empty.