David Lloyd Leisure is to add at least 200 new tennis courts across the UK by 2010 as part of plans to develop the country’s tennis infrastructure.

The Whitbread-owned racquets, health and fitness club business has already said it plans to increase its network of 55 clubs to 100 by the end of the decade.

Managing director, Stewart Miller, said: “Increasing the number of indoor and outdoor tennis courts will serve the best interests of our shareholders, our members and British tennis at large.”

• David Lloyd Dublin, the company’s first European club, recently played host to the tennis event at the Special Olympics.