Aspiring young tennis players at Team Bath will now have the opportunity to learn from Alicia Barnett, a former British doubles number one and Wimbledon quarter-finalist, following her appointment as Performance Tennis Coach.
Barnett, who has been a prominent figure within the Team Bath professional programme for the past decade, will play a key role in nurturing the next generation of talent within the Regional Player Development Centre (RPDC). She will focus on helping these young athletes develop their skills and reach their full potential.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Barnett said, “I’m delighted to be taking on this role and starting a new stage in my tennis career. I’m really lucky to be working with so many talented young players.”
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She added, “It’s a great opportunity to help shape them not only as players but as individuals, and to support them on their journey. I’ve been fortunate to work with coaches who genuinely cared about me both on and off the court, and that is something I hope to pass on to future generations.”
Barnett’s connection to Team Bath runs deep. Hailing from Painswick in Gloucestershire, she first joined the Academy at 17 through the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sport and Exercise (AASE) programme. During this time, she earned her Level 1 coaching qualification and has since completed her Level 3 qualification, reflecting her ongoing commitment to coaching.
“Coaching has always been part of my background,” she explained. “I enjoyed getting on court to help young players at my local club, and pursuing coaching qualifications during Covid seemed like a natural step to prepare for the future.”
Her transition into coaching comes after an outstanding professional playing career. Barnett reached a career-high world ranking of 59 in women’s doubles, becoming Britain’s top-ranked doubles player. She competed in all four Grand Slam tournaments, twice reaching the Wimbledon mixed doubles quarter-final, in 2022 and 2024. She also played a pivotal role in helping Great Britain reach their first Billie Jean King Cup semi-final in over four decades in 2022.
Over nine years on the professional circuit, Barnett amassed 21 tournament victories. Her most recent success came in July when she and partner Elixane Lechemia of France claimed the women’s doubles title at the Generali Open Kitzbuhel in Austria.
Reflecting on her career, Barnett remarked, “I achieved more than I ever expected - travelling the world, creating amazing memories, and making lifelong friends. It’s been quite a ride.”
“Thinking about life after playing, this opportunity seemed perfect. I’m well settled in the South West and love the Team Bath culture. It feels like a natural next step.”
Barnett highlighted the strong environment at Team Bath, saying, “Team Bath is an excellent place for development and excellence. I’ve trained mainly with Ian MacDonald and Tiarnan Brady, but have worked with many of the coaches here, which has been a privilege.”
She described the high-performance atmosphere, “The culture here is one of elite performance. You see Olympians training alongside you, and everywhere you look, people are pushing to be their best.”
In her new role, Barnett will work alongside Chris Starkey within the Team Bath RPDC programme, which offers world-class coaching and support to players aged 14 and under. The programme focuses on helping these athletes transition effectively to the International Junior Stage of the LTA Player Pathway.