Tennis lovers say Enfield council served a double fault when it shut a park’s courts during the Wimbledon fortnight.

There will be no aces or serve and volleys at the three hard courts at North London Recreation ground, in Hawthorn Grove, as they have been closed for the past two weeks while council workers replace fencing around the courts.

The two weeks of Wimbledon is said to be the busiest time of the year for tennis participation with an increase of more than 50 per cent during the tournament.

However, the future Andy Murrays and Heather Watsons of Enfield will have to go elsewhere to hone their skills.

Anthony Fitzgerald, of Birkbeck Road said: “This is ridiculous, who within the council decided the maintenance should be carried out for these two weeks?”

Jayne Hiddleston, of Hawthorn Grove, whose son Jay regularly uses the tennis courts, added: “This is the busiest time of year for tennis and we love watching Wimbledon and then taking Jay to play tennis.

“The council should hang its head in shame and this nonsensical decision. We all know when Wimbledon is each year so why not do it two weeks before or a month afterwards? It is baffling.

“There are other courts in Enfield but these courts are within a minute’s walk for us and for local school children at Lavender School. It simply makes no sense.”

Chase ward councillor Nick Dines said: "I can’t believe the council is carrying out scheduled work on a tennis court during Wimbledon. Surely these two weeks are the busiest period?

"I have seen this administration do some bizarre things in Chase Ward during my past year as a councillor – buying a farm last month for £3m whilst claiming it has no money for instance - but even I am amazed at how barmy this decision is."

The Enfield Independent has asked Enfield council for a comment.