Hard to believe that the world’s most fantastic fortnight of tennis is with us again, with British hopes once again resting firmly on the broad shoulders of Scotsman Andy Murray, with local hope Elena Baltacha hoping to at least have an impressive first week along with the likes of Anne Keothavong, Heather Watson and Laura Robson. The eyes of the world will once again be on the hallowed turf of SW19 for two glorious weeks, where the best in the world will be calling on everything they have and more to lift those coveted trophies.
As on the clay of Roland Garros, the Men’s Singles looks certain to be fought out by the best in the world, the winner more than likely to come from the likes of defending champion Rafael Nadal,the undoubted King of Clay, six-times champion Roger Federer, man-of-the-moment Novak Djokovic, the enigmatic Andy Murray and the hard-hitting Juan del Potro, fast returning to his best form. The Ladies’ looks very open,with the appearance of the Williams sisters in doubt, though having returned to the game to achieve her dream of winning Wimbledon, my heart goes out to the battling Mum from Belgium, Kim Clisters.
Wimbledon is a tournament steeped in history of course, with this year the 125th Men’s Singles Championships, though one club in Suffolk will have cause to celebrate during the fortnight.I was lucky enough to be part of a Victorian day at Hadleigh Tennis Club a few years back, and now they have special plans to pay tribute to no less than 130 years of tennis in Hadleigh. As one of the oldest tennis clubs in the country, Hadleigh intends to celebrate this historical and important event by re-enacting a match played in 1881 between the gentlemen of Hadleigh and Bildeston.
This very special event will take place on the middle Sunday of Wimbledon, 26th June, with Wimbledon itself being just three years older than Hadleigh. There will be a Ladies’ match as well as the Gentlemen’s Challenge Match, Ladies’ tennis starting later but being well underway by 1890. It is anticipated that part of the Men’s match will involve gentlemen playing in the appropriate costume of 1881, and the event will be further enhanced by holding the club’s annual barbecue as part of what will be a very special and well-deserved celebration by one of Suffolk’s thriving rural clubs.
The Ipswich Sports Club continue to cause major upsets in the Aegon national South East Division, and now amazingly find themselves heading the table with two away games to be played. To have secured survival in this division was the first goal, and is a massive achievement for the Henley Road side, and they now go into this weekend as league leaders. There could still be many twists and turns, with just one win separating 5 teams, though Suffolk is now well and truly on the map nationally, that’s for sure !
Once the excitement of Wimbledon is over, it’s straight on to our usual very comprehensive tournament programme, the Summer campaign beginning as ever at Felixstowe Tennis Club with the ever popular East of England.Although not hosting quite the same level of future stars that once graced the Bath Road grasscourts, there will be a feast of high-quality tennis to enjoy throughout the week, with any amount of keen competition in pleasant surroundings. Many of these players then move on to Frinton, where there will once again be a top notch Men’s Singles event on the Holland Road courts.
After that it’s County Week for our senior teams, the Men returning to Hunstanton where they face the challenge of appearing in Group 3, the highest group in which Suffolk Men have ever played.Finally a special mention for five-year old Tilly McLoughlin, almost certainly the youngest 8 and Under player ever to represent Suffolk last weekend. Her sister Maddie is the only girl from Suffolk to get through to the 7 and Under LTA Regional Talent ID Day coming up soon, and has showed promise in winning 4 tournaments, including two regional ones, giving the county real hope for the future.