Lithuania is known for their success in basketball and football, but lately tennis has been on the rise in Lithuania.
"Especially on the amateur level, tennis is in a good spot. In recent years, especially after COVID, thousands of Lithuanians have taken up the sport recreationally, supported by a well-developed network of mostly private tennis clubs, especially in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda," says Virginia Paliukaité from the SEB arena.
Tennis is also popular among children and youth, thanks in part to near-weekly play and tournament opportunities, as well as role models.
"The first inspiration was former ATP Top 50 player Ričardas Berankis. Now, the boom and growing interest in tennis are being driven by two young talents: Vilius Gaubas (ATP-163) and Edas Butvilas (ATP-235)."
With rising popularity, more tennis courts have been built in Lithuania; since 2014, the number of courts has increased from 150 to over 300. SEB arena is the country’s largest tennis facility with its 28 indoor courts, welcoming around 75,000 visitors monthly. During peak months, court occupancy exceeds 90%.
"SEB arena is not only the largest tennis complex in the Baltic States, but also one of the biggest in Europe and even globally (in terms of indoor courts). What sets the arena apart is not just its size but its multifunctionality and its role as a national tennis hub. The arena has 28 indoor tennis courts, 4 squash courts, 4 badminton courts, and 8 mini tennis courts. In summer, outdoor courts are added in the city's old town – 10 clay courts and 2 artificial grass courts."
To serve its customers in the best possible way, SEB arena is constantly looking for ways to improve comfort and enhance the appeal of its services. In terms of tennis, this meant investing in smart tennis courts.
"The smart tennis court system is revolutionizing the way tennis is played, analyzed, and managed. We can see how players enjoy instant feedback on shot placement, speed, player positioning, match and practice recording, line-calling, and gamification. They can analyze, make adjustments, and discuss, which leads to more social interaction and deepens the love for the sport when you really understand it."
"For SEB arena, the main benefit is modernization and increased appeal to customers."
Paliukaité says the transition of two courts into Zenniz smart tennis courts went smoothly.
"In summary, low maintenance and high-quality tools help us engage more with our clients – like user-friendly mobile apps and features that make tennis more enjoyable for our customers."
Pictures: SEB arena, Lithuania