Welsh tennis players are making a major impact at all levels of the sport, with success at senior level, and high rankings among the juniors.
In the British Open Seniors Championship in Dudley, Peter Boshier Jones, 77, from Penarth reached his maiden British final in the men’s O75 doubles, while former Wales international footballer Alan Durban reached the semi-finals of the O70s.
Also in the men’s doubles, Paul Thompson reached the 055 final. Thompson, from Cardiff, agonisingly lost in the final on a tie-break. And returning from injury after six months, Chris Hill (Crickhowell) made an impressive comeback in the 055 doubles reaching the semi-finals.
Rhiwbina-based Tom James’s success in Dudley saw him reach a career high of 47 in the 035 ITF doubles rankings. James and his partner Christian Findeisen lost to eventual winners Sebastian Jackson and his partner Andrew Burgoyne in the semi-finals of the event.
Elsewhere, Bridgend’s Mike Harpin reached the semi-finals in the 045 category.
In the women’s doubles, Ann Brown from Prestatyn made a good account of herself reaching the semi-finals of the 060 category.
In the singles 055 category Newport’s Rose DSa made it through to the semi-finals. And Alistair Alexander, tipped to represent GB in the World Team Championships later this year, reached the semis of the men’s 050 singles.
Seniors aside, one player certain to represent his country is 10 year-old Shay Ryan from Torfaen who has been picked by GB to play France in Paris later this month.
And in the latest LTA rankings, many Welsh youngsters have worked their way into high positions across the various age groups. From North Wales, Eleanor Scarff (Colwyn Bay) has reached number 8 in the British rankings in the U16 category. And from South Wales Matthew Story (Cardiff) has risen to number 1 in the British U16 category while finding himself in 3rd place in the U18s also. Fellow Welshman Ricky Hernandez (Cardiff) tops the U18 group in 1st place in Britain.
“It’s really gratifying to see so much Welsh success right across the age range,” said Tennis Wales chief executive, Peter Drew. “Last month, we actually had 10 players among the top 10 rankings across the ages – Wales is punching well above its weight on the British scene.
“The senior results were great to see, and show that tennis one of the few sports that can be played competitively or recreationally at almost any age.”