Despite a week of challenging showery weather, the National Fostering Agency Easter Hardcourt Tournament was safely concluded at the Ipswich Sports Club over the Easter period, over one hundred players from six counties enjoying great competition and comraderie. Nia Braidford lived up to her growing reputation, enjoying an unbeaten week by capturing both the Girls’ 16U and 14U Singles titles, and teaming up with Florence Kenworthy to top the 14U Girls’ Doubles round-robin event.
In a hard-fought 16U decider, Nia overcame old rival Millie McIlraith 6-4 6-3, and in the 14U she proved too strong for the much improved Lara Chittick. London’s Ben Jones also proved his class in completing the 16U/14U Singles “double”, dropping just four games in overcoming Gabriel Watson and Robert Johnson repectively.Joshua Stokes became the 8U champion and did well to finish 9U runner-up to Adam Rudolph after a close 7-4 7-5 final, the winners of the 8U, 9U, 10U and 12U events being awarded a master class with British number one Elena Baltacha.
Kylie Bilchev, who recently capped a fine Winter by winning the National Tour Finals at the National Tennis Centre, finished lst in the 10U Singles, Macy Hendid-Walker emerging as runner-up. Hannah Stokes had an exciting decider with Katherine Barnes in the 12U Singles, just edging through 6-4 3-6 (10-8), and she also finished as runner-up in the 14U Doubles with Olivia Hine.New to the Tournament were the Grade 3 Open Singles and Doubles, home club player Anthony Holley defeating Norfolk rival and top seed James Armstrong 6-1 6-2 to capture the Singles title.
The National Fostering Agency were delighted to have been involved with this ever-popular event, the prizes being presented by their Team Manager, Michelle Perry. The decision of Tournament Secretary Sheelagh Watts to revive the event was more than justified, and hopefully the Easter Hardcourt Tournament will now continue as a highlight of the annual Suffolk LTA competition programme.
Click on this link to see the results!