Deborah Jevans, the first female Chair in the history of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, continued to redefine tradition with grace and foresight. Her presence today reflected her unwavering commitment to preserving Wimbledon’s rich heritage while courageously guiding it into a more inclusive, innovative future. With poise and clarity, she led from the front—honouring the past, inspiring the present, and empowering the future.
Deborah (“Debbie”) Jevans, born on 20 May 1960 in London, embarked on a remarkable journey from junior tennis champion to influential global sports leader. Starting her tennis career at 16, she reached Wimbledon’s fourth round in 1979, and also competed in the French Open and US Open
Her passion for sport transitioned seamlessly into leadership. At just 27, Jevans became Director of the Women’s Game at the International Tennis Federation, later advancing to general secretary . She broke new ground in 2012 as Director of Sport for London’s Olympic and Paralympic Games, managing over 20,000 staff and a £160 million sports operation.
A trailblazer of bold ambition, she made history by leading as CEO of Rugby World Cup 2015, marking the first time a woman held that post . Though she stepped down before the tournament’s start, her tireless dedication continued across top-tier roles—as a senior non-executive director and interim chair of the English Football League, trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation, and vice-chair of Sport England
In July 2023, Jevans shattered ceilings again, becoming the first-ever female chair of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, leading Wimbledon with innovation and inclusivity in a role rooted in centuries of tradition. Under her leadership, breakthroughs advanced—from embracing padel tennis community courts to steering Wimbledon’s expansion and transformation.
The Club was founded on 23 July 1868 as The All England Croquet Club. Its name was changed in 1877 to The All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club and in 1899 to The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. On 1 August 2011 the Club was converted into a company limited by guarantee under the name The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club Limited.
The Lawn Tennis Association is the national governing body of tennis in Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The organisation was founded in 1888 and seven-time Wimbledon champion William Renshaw was elected as its first president.
Our vision is ‘Tennis opened up’, and our mission is to grow tennis by making it relevant, accessible, welcoming and enjoyable. We’re here to govern and develop tennis in Britain, from grassroots participation through to the professional game. Tennis is an amazing sport. Anyone can play; whatever their motivation or ability, from all communities and backgrounds. At any age and for a whole lifetime, tennis provides physical, social and mental rewards both on and off the court. We want tennis to be open to as many people as possible, across the whole of Britain.
Volunteers, coaches, officials, clubs and venues all play an essential role in the future of our sport; without them, tennis can’t exist. We’re committed to providing them with the right investment and support, and celebrating their wonderful work. We want to engage with thousands of fans so that we can bring them closer to the sport, offering new ways for them to enjoy and get the most out of tennis. We will continue to deliver a standout calendar of major tennis events; from Fed Cup and Davis Cup ties, to grass court tournaments. We want to take tennis to new areas, so as many people as possible can watch world-class tennis action. We are here to help many more people pick up a racket, whether it’s for the first time, or the first time in a while. We want to enable men and women of all ages and abilities to play more often, all year round.
Starting early is crucial to playing for the long-term. We need more children to start playing and will do what it takes to make it as easy as possible for parents and kids across the whole of Britain to choose tennis. We will also build new and develop existing relationships with schools and local communities, so more kids and young people than ever before are able to pick up a racket. We are committed to delivering a clearer route for players to develop – from starter sessions with our brilliant accredited coaches, to first-class support at our National Academies. Our Player Pathway is designed to find and nurture the next generation of champions, with a particular focus on enabling young players to break into the top 100, win medals at the Olympics and Paralympics, and in turn, inspire fans across the nation.
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