Two young Cumbrian tennis players will have the opportunity to compete on the hallowed grass courts of Wimbledon next month. Matthew Davidson, of Penrith and Harriet Glaves from Kirkby Lonsdale will compete at the All England Club next month after emerging victorious in the county Road to Wimbledon event.
The HSBC Road to Wimbledon event is the biggest annual recreational junior tournament in British Tennis offering young players aged 11-14 the opportunity to rise through the ranks of their club and county before qualifying for the national finals. 14 year old Matthew & 13 year old Harriet won their respective club events at Ullswater & Eden Junior Tennis Club & Queen Elizabeth School before competing in the county finals at Heversham & Milnthorpe Tennis Club which is based at Dallam School in Heversham.
Matthew Davidson, a pupil at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith first picked up a racquet at the ripe old age of 7 & a half years old. Matthew emerged from the club stage event in Penrith unscathed before facing much tougher opposition in the county finals.
‘The club event was a tame affair but the county event was very closely contested – any one of the semi-finalists were capable of winning the event on the day’ said Matthew’s Dad, Andy. ‘Matthew was lucky enough to be a spectator on Centre Court in 2013 for Andy Murray’s first Wimbledon title and he is now very excited to have the opportunity to play there too’ explained Andy.
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Harriet Glaves, who attends the Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale has played tennis since the tender age of 4. Sporty Harriet plays at Heversham & Milnthorpe and is coached by Jon Griffin. She played seven matches in her club round robin as well as recently competing at the International Youth Games in Lancaster.
‘After going down to Wimbledon this year with her brother and seeing her heroes Radwanska, Djokovic & Federer in action she is very excited about playing on the grass courts herself’ said mum, Lynne.
Both Harriet & Matthew will now head to London for a school summer holiday to remember – the national finals take place at Wimbledon from 14-19th August. All finalists will receive a special Wimbledon souvenir, an invitation to the Players Party, a Wimbledon museum voucher, a tour of the grounds and an allowance for accommodation and meals. Wimbledon will play host to over 350 matches during finals week with a singles round robin leading to a knock out draw plus doubles. The latest news about the competition can be found here: www.lta.org.uk/competitions/junior/road-to-wimbledon
