The new National Tennis Academy at Loughborough University has officially opened its doors to the next generation of talented British tennis players.

Developed by the sport's national governing body, Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the academy will deliver a professional-style, interdisciplinary training environment tailored specifically to prepare players for the demands of pro tennis.

According to the LTA, it will play a "crucial role in the implementation of a new seamless player pathway" and is part of the NGB's strategy to make Britain one of the most respected nations in the world for tennis player development.

The first cohort of eight students have arrived on campus and will each receive a bespoke training programme delivered by a team of world-class coaches, performance lifestyle and education experts, and sport science and medicine practitioners.

The coaching delivery will be led by Nick Cavaday, who has previously worked with British Davis Cup winner Dominic Inglot and former world number 43, Aljaz Bedene.

He is joined by LTA Senior Performance Advisor, Louis Cayer who has over 30 years’ experience in elite-level tennis and has coached multiple Grand Slam champions and Olympic Gold men’s doubles winners.

“This is the start of an exciting new chapter for Tennis in Britain, which I am confident will be a long and successful partnership," said Helen Reesby, director of tennis at Loughborough University.

“Together we will deliver a transformational development environment for junior players which nurtures the person, performer, and player in all aspects on and off the court.

"Our approach is both individualised and integrated with the health, happiness, and wellbeing of everybody within our academy our priority.”