On 4th January 2015, three under 9’s girls from the Maidenhead lawn Tennis Club (MLTC) Club Futures Squad travelled to the Welwyn Garden Gosling National Performance Centre to compete in a Grade 2 Winter National Tournament for 9 & under Girls.
Eva Lancaster, Amber Knight and Shreya Walia were accepted to play in the national level Orange ball tournament with 13 other top girls selected fro, the UK’s best. This was the first time that Maidenhead LTC have had three players competing in the same high level competition.
Eva Lancaster won her first group match, but then lost to the eventual champion, followed by playing a nail biting final match to decide whether she qualified for the main draw. Unfortunately she lost the match in 3 sets, but bounced back in the consolation event, finishing in 3rd position.
Amber Knight won her first match but couldn’t emulate that win and finished in 3rd position. In the consolation event, she was in outstanding form to win her three matches and win the event. A great result in her first G2 event
Shreya Walia had a rough start by losing her first match against the 2nd ranked girl in the tournament. However she changed her technique to a more aggressive style which proved very successful and she won her next two group matches to qualify for the main draw. Showing excellent mental skills and technique she won her quarter final but found Daisy Carpenter too tough in the semi final. A fantastic performance in Shreya’s first G2 tournament considering she was one of the youngest competitors at the tournament.
MLTC Head Coach Nigel Mann said “This is a fantastic performance by the 3 girls, we are so blessed to have 3 genuine girls who work very hard and are now performing at national level. All 3 have been invited to the next LTA Regional Camp as recognition for their continuing improvement”