There’s no sitting around for television presenter Andrew Castle - he’s getting up from the GMTV sofa in a bid to help former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash finally beat ex-British number one Chris Wilkinson.
Cash has been defeated two years in a row by homegrown hero Wilkinson during a single’s exhibition match at Lee-on-the-Solent Tennis, Squash and Fitness Club’s annual public open day, which this year is on Saturday 29 May.
Wilkinson has notched up a long line of other victories against Cash – he beat the Australian when the pair met on the BlackRock Tour of Champions in Belfast and triumphed again in the 2007 Wimbledon doubles competition.
‘He realises he’ll never defeat me on his own so he has called in reinforcements in the form of Andrew. He thinks if he can’t beat me at single’s that, with some help, he might win at doubles,’ said Wilkinson, the club’s Director of Tennis at the Manor Way club.
Castle is a now a popular television personality and GMTV presenter and like Wilkinson, a former British men’s number one.
A third former British number one Tim Henman is also doing his bit to promote tennis at the event - he will play at Wimbledon at a mutually convenient date and time, the highest bidder in a silent auction which closes during the open day.
The auction and a raffle are open to club members only and the proceeds from both will go to the Rowan’s Hospice and the Lee’s junior tennis development.
Wilkinson will play with reigning men’s club champion Michael Privett during the fun packed open day which includes a series of no-charge tennis clinics for all ages.
‘The public in general and youngsters in particular are invited to come along to the open day. It’s a great chance to see former champions on your doorstep play what promises to be some fabulous tennis .
‘I’m hoping that watching a former Wimbledon title holder, two top ranking British champions , will inspire youngsters to go out and play. I’d love them to see the fun to be had in taking part in any sport and be motivated to try something for themselves.’
To encourage youngsters to have a go, there are free tennis clinics from 11am to noon for four to nine year olds and from noon to 1pm for 10 to 16 year olds. There are also tennis clinics for adults from 1pm to 2.30pm.
The big doubles match begins at 3pm, umpired by BBC Ski Sunday presenter and Wimbledon commentator Matt Chilton. This will be followed by men’s doubles and mixed doubles matches with Cash and Castle on opposite sides of the net, pairing the winners of a club tournament being staged the previous weekend.
There will also be a face painting and children’s bandana sale and, for the big kids, a hog roast, Pimms tent, live entertainment and an all day bar and food.
For more details of the day, please call the Lee-on-the-Solent Tennis Squash and Fitness Club on 02392 550381, visit the club's website or download the Open Day poster.