Junior tennis players are on the up at Sidmouth

Sidmouth Tennis Club once again opened its doors to players from around the South West, on a glorious summer’s day.

Sidmouth Tennis Club’s representation is growing with Freddie Wheeler and young Harry Ensall making their debut, Ben Plowden back for more experience in the Mini Tennis Orange Event and Louis and Eliot King excited about a challenge that not so long ago would have been quite daunting for them.

The local boys challenged and tested the higher rated Orange Ball players and Louis Spalding, who had earlier been beaten by his hitting partner and friendly rival Eliot King, bounced back to beat higher-rated Ben Hammond from Exeter – a marvellous achievement.

Both local boys, still fresh from their first visit to Wimbledon this year, carried the inspiration they gained from such an invaluable trip to The All England Club and competed extremely well.

Harry Ensall, with his ferocious forehand and serve, was undefeated.

In the Mini Green Ball Event, Edward Shattock from Taunton proved too strong for the other competitors by triumphing in all his matches.

The longest match of the day was undoubtedly the closely fought contest involving Sam Palmer and his opponent, who fought back from an early 3-1 loss to finally triumph in a closely fought tie-break. In the hot conditions, the players were pushing each other to the limits, both physically and mentally, with long rallies in which they each moved their opponent around the court trying to create that winning opportunity.

These tournaments provide an important role in the development of Juniors and Sidmouth are currently planning further Red, Orange and Green matchplays with the support of FlyBe and Devon LTA.