Cardiff-based Chris Lewis is heading to South Africa as part of the Great Britain over-35 team in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Young Seniors World Team Championships.
Lewis, who is head performance coach at Cardiff Metropolitan University in association with XL Tennis, and is originally from Neath, was selected on the basis of his performances at county events, team tennis finals and National Premier League Finals.
As a first-year veteran, eligible because he turns 35 this year, he brings some 'young blood' into the team, which finished third last year.
“It was a bit of a surprise to get the call,” he admitted. “Although I’ve played for Wales many times, this will be my Great Britain debut.
“I was a bit concerned at the time because I was suffering from a neck injury, but that has cleared up, and I’m very optimistic about it.
“We’ll be playing on hard courts, rather than clay, so that should suit us, and we will almost certainly be seeded in the top four teams. But there are a lot of uncertainties because you don’t know who you’ll be facing.”
The tournament in Cape Town runs from Sunday 19 March to Friday 24 March and involves 86 four-man teams from 26 countries.
“Being selected for Great Britain is a huge honour for any player, and Chris deserves this call-up after some excellent performances in various competitions,” said Tennis Wales chief executive, Peter Drew.
“It is great to see Welsh players making it into GB teams at all age levels, and I’m sure everyone in Welsh tennis wishes Chris and his team-mates the best of luck in Cape Town.”
Welsh players have been making an impact for Team GB lately, notably with James Story (Cardiff Met) helping GB 16U boys to victory in the Tennis Europe Winter Cup, and Morgan Cross (Wrexham Tennis Centre) helping GB 16U girls to the final of the same competition.
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Mae Chris Lewis o Gaerdydd yn mynd i Dde Affrica fel aelod o dîm dros 35 Prydain ym Mhencampwriaeth Timau Feteran Iau ITF y Byd.
Dewiswyd Lewis, sy’n brif hyfforddwr perfformiad ym Mhrifysgol Metropolitan Caerdydd gydag XL Tennis, ac sydd o Gastell Nedd yn wreiddiol, ar sail ei berfformiadau mewn cystadlaethau sirol, rowndiau terfynol tennis timau, a Rowndiau Terfynol y Brif Gynghrair Genedlaethol.
Fel feteran blwyddyn gyntaf, sy’n gymwys am ei fod yn 35 eleni, mae’n dod â pheth ‘gwaed ifanc’ i’r tîm, a ddaeth yn drydydd y llynedd.
“Roedd yn dipyn o syndod derbyn yr alwad,” cyfaddefa. “Er fy mod wedi chwarae i Gymru sawl gwaith, hwn fydd y tro cyntaf imi chwarae i Brydain.
“Ro’n i braidd yn bryderus ar y pryd am fy mod wedi cael anaf i fy ngwddf, ond mae hwnnw wedi gwella erbyn hyn, a dwi’n optimistaidd iawn amdano.
“Mi fyddwn ni’n chwarae ar gyrtiau caled yn hytrach na rhai clai, felly mi ddylai hynny ein siwtio, ac mi fyddwn ni bron yn bendant ymhlith y pedwar tîm dethol uchaf. Ond mae ‘na lawer o ansicrwydd am nad yw rhywun yn gwybod pwy fydd ei wrthwynebwr.”
Cynhelir y twrnamaint yn Cape Town rhwng Sul 19 Mawrth a Gwener 24 Mawrth, ac mae’n cynnwys 86 o dimau o bedwar chwaraewr, o 26 o wledydd.
“Mae cael eich dewis i dîm Prydain yn anrhydedd enfawr i unrhyw chwaraewr, ac mae Chris yn haeddu’r alwad hon yn dilyn perfformiadau ardderchog mewn nifer o gystadlaethau,” meddai prif weithredwr Tennis Cymru, Peter Drew.
“Mae’n wych gweld chwaraewyr o Gymru’n cael lle yn nhimau Prydain ar bob lefel oedran, a dwi’n siŵr bod pawb yn Tennis Cymru’n dymuno pob lwc i Chris a’i gyd-chwaraewyr yn Cape Town.”
Mae chwaraewyr o Gymru wedi bod yn creu argraff gyda thimau Prydain yn ddiweddar, gyda James Story (Met Caerdydd) yn helpu tîm bechgyn D16 Prydain i fuddugoliaeth yng Nghwpan y Gaeaf Tennis Ewrop, a Morgan Cross (Canolfan Tennis Wrecsam) yn helpu tîm merched D16 Prydain i gyrraedd rownd derfynol yr un gystadleuaeth.