Hard to believe that this Monday will see Andy Murray stepping on to Centre Court as he starts his campaign to defend his Wimbledon title. Having done well to reach the French Open semi-final, he went out early at Queen’s last week, and the appointment of a new coach in Amelie Mauresmo seems to have added an air of uncertainty at this critical stage. Whether or not he manages the huge task of retaining his title, have no doubt that his magnificent achievements of last year have been a real inspiration to juniors everywhere.
Suffolk’s Paul Midgley,from Elmsett, and a product of the Ipswich Sports Club Academy, is certainly one of those aspiring players. A former pupil of Hadleigh High School, Paul is en route to a top 40 ranked US College tennis team, a dream he has held from a very early age. In the Summer following his GCSEs, Paul decided that his best opportunity of accessing the most high-powered tennis programme would be to focus on the high-powered academic Ivy League Colleges.
Paul had to work extremely hard to obtain the necessary grades and SAT result (American University Entrance Exam), whilst trying, as always, to raise the level of his tennis. The outcome was that on December 11th last year, he was offered an academic scholarship at Dartmouth College, in the picturesque town of Hanover in New Hampshire. This was a huge achievement for this most determined of players, as only 10% of the 20,000 applicants who apply world-wide each year gain admission.
From the very first tournament I refereed Paul in, I could see that he not only had considerable talent, but possessed the two crucial factors of determination and professionalism. He is working hard on his tennis and fitness to impress the Dartmouth tennis coach Chris Drake, and he has now reached the UK U18 top 10, as a result of top 8 finishes twice this year in Grade 2 Tournaments, and a semi-final spot in the Winter Masters Grade 1 event at the National Tennis Centre.
The level of tennis at Dartmouth is such that they are ranked 47th in the USA, with a very accomplished coach, who as a professional player achieved world top 100 doubles status. Paul’s aim is to ensure that he will be able to contribute to such a strong team, and that his work ethic and commitment will bring him up to the level of the team’s top players during his 4 years in the squad.
Paul’s coach of 7 years, County Captain Jeremy Cowley, believes that Paul has the game-style, work ethic, mental toughness and willingness to learn that will make him a future star of the Ivy League, and ultimately a seasoned pro-player. This Summer, prior to his departure to the States in August, Paul is focusing on British Tour and Futures events, including the upcoming events at Felixstowe and Frinton.
Finally, the very best of luck to the Bally Charity Tournament at the Ipswich Sports Club this Sunday, a timely reminder of a highly determined Wimbledon player the day before the Championships get underway. Tomorrow is also a poignant reminder of another huge personality in Suffolk tennis, as the Pam Rogers Girls’ Doubles Tournament will be staged in the afternoon at the venue where she made such an impact, Framlingham College.