2013 Metro VI Tennis Tournament

The METRO National Visually Impaired Tennis Tournament brought 40+ blind and visually impaired people from all over the United Kingdom to the National Tennis Centre from the 4th-6th October.

Three competitors and two volunteers who practice regularly at Sunderland Tennis Centre and The Northumberland Club played their socks off in Roehampton last weekend to bring home three trophies!

Graeme Manwell (General Manager at The Northumberland Club) and Wendy Glasper (Secretary of the North East Visually Impaired Tennis Club) were runners up in the Mixed Sighted and VI Doubles in a short tie break set against the undefeated reigning champions Paul Ryb and Jessica Bevington. In a close set of 4-7, Wendy Glasper and Graeme Manwell coped well under the pressure and some say that if the set was played to 10 points the outcome may have been different!

Returning to the North East also a runner up was Rosie Pybus, partnered by Ramona Williams (Metro Club) in the Woman's VI Doubles. The pair fought a tough match against Odette Battarel and Christine Lawrence but unfortunately couldn't break even when they dropped a set in their second service game resulting in a 4-1 defeat.

After only several months of playing VI Tennis, Steve Trewick's passion and determination to succeed is stronger than ever and in a bid to earn his place in next year’s final, Trewick has pledged to "Work his butt off!"

The ever improving standard and calibre of Visually Impaired athletes is transpiring through the standard of play and popularity of Visually Impaired Tennis. For the first time in its short history, this year’s competition was oversubscribed, with players eagerly waiting on a reserve list. 

A separate category was also held this year for B1 players (those with no sight or who are only able to differentiate between light and dark) with York's very own Kelly Cronin bringing home the gold and creating history!

 2013 Metro VI Tennis Tournament

 Results