Players aged from 6 to 10 years from Devon & Cornwall competed all summer chasing the top places on the Whirlwind Mini Tour leaderboard to reach the Grand Finals and the chance of being crowned Masters Champion!
The 8 & Under red ball event gave some of the 14 players their first taste of competing against players from outside their county and it was great to see how well everyone played and with such great spirit. After many close matches in the box rounds players from Tarka Tennis Centre dominated the semi-finals. Isabel Hebard was drawn against Exmouth’s Alex Roper with Tarka club mates Lincoln Boden and Freddie Lloyd in the other semi. Alex and Freddie were the stronger on the day and enjoyed a close final with Freddie eventually prevailing. Congratulations to Freddie Lloyd, the 8 & Under Champion.
The 8 & Under Whirlwind Mini Tour leaderboard champions were: Devon – Lincoln Boden (Tarka Tennis Centre), Cornwall – Kaya Erensayin (Nuffield Devonshire).
In the 9 & Under orange ball event Cornish players took 3 of the 4 semi final places; Penzance’s Jacob Allan and Jake Moore and Ruben Mudd from Launceston. Daniel Porche from Tarka took the fourth spot playing Jake and pushed him all the way but was finally overcome. This led to an incredible final between Ruben and Jake which swung one way then the other but finally Jake held on to win 20-18 and become the 9 & Under Champion.
The 9 & Under Whirlwind Mini Tour leaderboard champions were: Devon – Jacob Blackler-Rose (Nuffield Devonshire), Cornwall – Ruben Mudd (Launceston).
The 10 & Under green ball event showcased some great tennis as the standard of play on the day was so high. The finalists were not decided until the last box rounds were completed. In a Cornwall v Devon final, Matt Upton proved just too strong for Devon’s Maya Ichim. Congratulations to Matt, winning the 10 & Under for the second season running.
The 10 & Under Whirlwind Mini Tour leaderboard champions were: Devon – Rodrigo Anzules-Argote (Ilfracombe), Cornwall – Joss Bailey (Bodmin).
Trophies and prizes were presented by Chris Bawden, Devon Tennis County Co-ordinator, who congratulated the players on their great spirit and sportsmanship and expressed Devon Tennis and Tennis Cornwall’s gratitude for Whirlwind Sport’s support which has enabled so many young players to experience competition in a friendly environment, make new friends and be enthused by the sport.
216 children took part in the Whirlwind Mini Tour Circuit this season which has given these youngsters from throughout Devon and Cornwall the opportunity to develop their game.