Padlocks and Strawberries

Access to play, sport and nature shouldn’t be taken for granted. Join comedian Tony Hawks as he explores the barriers shaping how we play in the UK, and why it matters to us all.

The Wimbledon Tennis Championships - there's nothing quite like it. The strawberries, the (occasional) sunshine…and that glorious two-week window where the whole country suddenly remembers that ‘love’ means nothing. In this first episode, Tony is at the Wimbledon Championships, exploring Britain’s tennis culture and asking whether the game is truly accessible to everyone.

Through conversations with fans, players, coaches, and tennis historian Dr Robert J. Lake, this episode explores tennis’ long-standing image as an exclusive sport, shaped by its aristocratic roots, high coaching costs, and posh traditions. While Wimbledon’s famous Queue is often seen as an effort to expand access, many still point to barriers of cost, geography and culture. Tony looks at attempts to widen participation - from public park courts to the “Workers’ Wimbledon” movement of the 1930s, when the game was more widely shared. Racket in hand and inspired by stories such as Venus and Serena Williams’ beginnings on free public courts, Tony reflects on whether tennis in the UK can still feel out of reach.

Presenter: Tony Hawks

Producer: Guy Natanel

Assistant Producer: Lauren Lewis

Executive Producers: Shannon Delwiche and Chris Jones

Composer: Pat Moran

Sound Mixer: David Crackles

A Sound and Bones production for BBC Radio 4