This month saw GB’s Davis Cup team back in action for the first time since their historic win last November. The defending champions were looking to secure a victory over Japan at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena to earn their place in the competition’s quarter-finals. After the first two days left things standing at 2-1 in GB’s favour, tennis fans were treated to an enthralling five-hour marathon between Andy Murray and Japan’s No.1 seed Kei Nishikori, in which Murray eventually triumphed.
Whilst Great Britain were superbly supported by the home crowd that packed out Birmingham’s Arena, tennis clubs all over Lancashire also rallied behind the team, using their Benenden #BackTheBrits Packs to host tennis festivals during the weekend. Twenty-Five clubs in Lancashire claimed a free pack, which included a variety of exciting items to help venues host a successful event such as GB bunting, Andy Murray facemasks, branded water bottles, medals and certificates.
Lancashire’s Norbreck Tennis Club used the #Fast4 format for their Davis Cup Festival, in which twenty-seven junior took part in singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches throughout the day. The club enlisted the help of Amelia and Georgia to help with face painting, and created an exciting atmosphere with loud music, flag waving and air horns!
Ormskirk Tennis Club, meanwhile, got behind the Brits by holding their own GB vs Japan Davis Cup tie at the club. Twenty juniors took part in the doubles event, playing best of 3 championship tie breaks to ensure plenty of games were played. Cupcakes also followed the GB vs Japan theme, providing participants with a well-deserved refreshment break at the half-way point! After an epic 2.5 hours of play, Ormskirk’s Japan team emerged victorious with a 16-12 point victory - luckily GB’s actual Davis Cup team fared a little better!
Congratulations to all of the clubs that held a Davis Cup Festival using the Benenden #BackTheBrits Tennis Festivals Packs and to everyone who participated in these events – you did the boys proud!!
Want to do it all over again? Clubs can now claim their FREE Benenden Grass Court Season Tennis Festivals Pack via the LTA website. Why not find out whether your club has claimed theirs yet?!
Norbreck Tennis Club would like to say a big thank you to Maureen, Zoe, Michaela, Rachel, Julie, Amelia & Georgia for their efforts in making their Davis Cup event a success!