Following Team GB’s huge success over the weekend we will be seeing some top ranked players in Sunderland this week.
It has been a National Event for 11 years now, with some famous clubs having won the event in previous years, including:
Edgbaston Priory 2008/2009
Hallamshire 2006
Royal Berkshire Club - 2005/2007
Players that have competed in the Finals include Brits: Jamie Murray, Jonny Marray, Jamie Delgado, and Colin Fleming.
Overseas players include Freddie Nielsen, Aisam Qureshi, Wayne Black, and Stephen Huss who are all Grand Slam winners.
Mike and the event have pretty much had every top British player compete in the event over the years, so considering Mike started it himself with no history of organising events, and with no money behind him he is naturally proud of his achievements.
Last year Mike relocated the Finals back to the North East which was a decision encouraged by the LTA, and it was the best advice ever, as 2012 was the most successful event ever from a community buy in, and spectator numbers perspective. This year the main hub once again for the Finals will be the Virgin Active Wearside Club, and Mike is hoping to build once again on last year’s successes by improving yet again.
The event will be staged at two venues: Virgin Active Wearside, and Sunderland Tennis Centre, but the grandstand will only be in place at VA, so Mike will concentrate on that venue mainly as that is a ticketed event.
The winning team from last year, Virgin Active Warwickshire, will have a quartet of players including Dan Evans, Tom Burn, Lewis Burton, and Marcus Willis. There will be extremely strong opposition from Gosling Academy this year with Ed Corrie, Neil Bamford and David Rice all expected to play. Other teams expected to be strong are Bromley, Sutton Academy and Virgin Active Cardiff making this an event too close to call. Two North Eastern teams have battled through and there is expected to be a lot of local interest in their respective matches. South Northumberland are playing at 3pm and VA Wearside play at 7pm, both on the opening day on 11th April.
Photo attached is of Dan Evans volleying from last year’s Finals. For those tennis fans who have been watching the live stream of last weekend’s Davis Cup tie in Coventry you will know he has just helped Aegon Team GB to take the tie against Russia!
Tickets are still available so please contact Mike Dixon on: mdixontennis@btinternet.com or 07870778490.