Latest Tennis News
Apr 08
SHEEN G3 GRAND PRIX 08
Weybridge Tennis Academy dominate the quarter finals! Full report to follow........
Mar 08
WTA KICK OFF 2008 NJCL CAMPAIGN with 5 'kick butt' wins! The U16 girls made light work of Haslemere with Nicola Joyce, Dani Persaud, Kelly Burge and Lauren Beech all coming through their singles matches unscathed. WTA were welcoming Lauren back to team tennis after a long period out of competitive play with an irritating back injury. It was great to see her back in action and playing some great tennis! DP and NJ led the way for WTA and won a comfortable doubles, whilst Kelly and Lauren secured the whitewash at #2 doubles...great start for the girls!
WTA's U16 boys had to fight 'tooth and nail' to overcome a mighty challenge from Reigate Tennis Club. Led by Alex Wilton, who defeated Eamon Soulsby in straight sets, WTA were backed up by 3 of it's most improved players of 2007 in Aled Loynes, Rory Barham and Oliver Reading. Close losses for both Aled and Oliver and an emphatic 'double bagel' victory for Rory meant that the match was all square after 4 singles matches. A narrow defeat in a 3rd set TB for Alex/Aled and a routine victory for Rory/Oliver meant that the tie was level at 3-3 after the doubles...........a doubles TB shootout would decide the spoils! Aled Loynes stepped up a level and his partner and 'mentor' on the day Alex Wilton, found the inner reserves needed in big moments such as these......and a 10-4 scoreline prevailed in WTA's favour. A tough and well earned win for the boys!
WTA win the prestigious Inter-County Shield for 2008!!
After winning both the U12 age groups in emphatic style 6-0, WTA were announced as CHAMPIONS of the South by finishing at the top of the league table! Go to www.intercountyshield.com to view the official results!
Feb 08
The Under 12 boys team completed a notable double for WTA by winning the Inter County Shield Final against Lensbury at Bisham Abbey on Sunday after the Under 12 girls' success the previous week-end.
After winning both the Quarter and Semi Finals convincingly 6-0 against Aldershot and
Stefan Rhodes, playing at number 1, got the side off to a winning start defeating Freddie McGeehan (who also trains at WTA) 6-3,6-4 in a tight high standard first match.This was followed by convincing wins for both Chris Reynolds at number 2 against Alistair Gray (also at WTA) and Kieran Macarty at number 3 against Alan Hutcheson and Sam East, who has had several injuries this week but patched himself up and playing at number 4, delivered the decisive rubber winning 6-1, 6-4 to seal the victory for WTA.
The boys then returned on court to play the doubles which were both won convincingly giving a final score of WTA 6 Lensbury 0.
We were then infomed that due to both the boys and the girls winning their finals by 6-0, WTA had in fact won the overall Inter County Shield Trophy for Surrrey since Herts had won 2 fewer rubbers in their 2 victories in other ager groups. This is the first time in it's 18 year history that
So "Congratulations" to all the boys, including James Low and Sam Monczakowski who played in the group matches, for their hard work, their great team spirit and commitment to play for WTA (instead of Aerials and hockey tournaments !) and for their equally hard working and stressed parents for supporting the boys in all weathers and as far afield as Portsmouth and of course to Justin and all the coaching staff at WTA !
So on to the National Junior Club League next …..!
Graham Rhodes
WTA Under 12 Boys Captain
4 out of 4 WTA teams make it through as group winners in the Inter County Shield-the only team in the competition to achieve this feat!!
After several months of fierce competition against some of the toughest clubs and academies in the South of England, WTA have achieved the unique feat of winning every group and remaining unbeaten in all competition!! For a full list of results and final group standings, log on to www.intercountyshield.com .
Many thanks go to Keith Boden, Graham Rhodes, Tara Persuad and Steve Wilton for looking after their respective teams so superbly!! As the Semi Finals and Finals approach please be sure to get out and support your WTA teams!
Jan 08
U12 Boys win Inter County Shield group and qualify for quarter finals!
Dec 07
U14 Boys win two matches to get Christmas off to a flyer!
One walkover (upon arrival!!) over The Lensbury Club and a whitewash 6-0 win against Oxford Sports Club, means that the WTA U14 boys head their group in the Inter-County Shield. Captained by Steve Wilton, the boys team of David Fox, Jorge Wilton, Harry Ware and Callum Macarty turned up at The Lensbury Club on the 9th Dec ready for action, to be told that due to a couple of late injuries, the match was to be conceded in favour of WTA. Obviously disappointed, the same team took their frustration out on Oxford Sports, for the loss of only 1 set during 4 singles and 2 doubles matches, the following week. Great work boys!!
Nov 07
U12 Girls acheive outstanding victory against City of Portsmouth Tennis Academy in Inter-County Shield!
A fantastic effort by the WTA team of Nicole Shakhnazarova, Linnea Bengsston, Natalie Hadenscott and Emily Boden, saw the U12 girls ICS team knock off a very strong team from David Lloyd Southampton. The 4-2 win after 4 singles and 2 doubles, means that WTA are top of the Inter County Shield league after 2 matches. Superbly captained by Keith Boden, the girls showed tremendous courage and competitive spirit to beat some of Hampshires' finest players.
Well done girls!!
Weybridge Tennis Academy...
.....have just been announced as the official tennis provider for St.George's College! Already based on the beautiful College grounds, this official partnership will benefit both parties hugely and most importantly create further exciting opportunities to grow the St.George's Tennis Performance Programme into one of the leading Tennis Schools in the UK.
Mark Siddall will work closely with Sandy Lutz to provide the day-to-day tennis lessons, whilst Justin Sherring will continue to work with Phil Parkin on the scholarship programme. Justin Sherring, St.George's College Tennis Programme Manager, is keen to hear from all County standard players and above, who would like more information on joining this great set up.
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Tom Burn LTA Young Coach of the Year!
WTA Coach Tom Burn has just been officially named as British Tennis' Young Coach of the Year.
In order to qualify, candidates need to be U25 at the time of application....at just 22 Tom has time to win it again!
Nominated by his fellow WTA coaching team, Tom made it through to the last 8 before winning a close voting battle with 2 other extremely dedicated coaches. It is a very fair reflection of the committment, dedication and mostly enthusiasm that Tom has shown since starting his coaching career just 18 months ago. Having played on the professional circuit from 16 years old, Tom is wise beyond his years and his coaching style blends youthful exuberance with factual knowledge of what it takes to play tennis at a world class level. WTA Tennis Director and Tom's official coaching Mentor Justin Sherring was delighted to hear the news.' Tom is a hell of a guy. He has made the transition from great player to great coach in such a short period. His selection onto the GB FED CUP coaching team this year was a really great learning experience for Tom and then working everyday with the variety of players at the Academy, means that his learning curve has always been pretty steep.'
Tom will recieve his coveted award at the British Tennis Coaches Conference at Bisham Abbey later in November. His team mates will be there to cheer him on!
A WELL DESERVED AWARD TO GENUINELY GREAT GUY.....WELL DONE MATE!
Mark and Justin run Marathon
WTA Warrior Coaches Mark Siddall and Justin Sherring, took to the streets of Dublin on Monday 29th October to take part in the 28th running of the Adidas Dublin Marathon.
With a detailed 6 month training schedule prepared and meticulously adhered to, Mark Siddall tamed the 26.2 mile course in 3hrs 38mins; an amazing time for a 'first timer'. His and Justin's motivation was to raise money for The Pulmonary Hyper Tension Association, which supports family's of children who suffer from this incurable disease. Mark's beautiful daughter Isabella, 4yrs old, has had PHT since birth. Mark 'pinged' his PHT rubber bracelet when the going got tough and pushed himself to maximum as he acheived something that only 1% of the world population can be proud of completing. WTA students should be very proud and inspired by what Mark has attained. Their coach had a GOAL and set targets, he then prepared a PLAN to acheive his targets. He had to rely on SELF-MOTIVATION and SELF- DISCIPLINE and remained true to his TARGETS. Having completed his training plan Mark was able to ENJOY his run, knowing that the work had been done.....he was able to run with CONFIDENCE!
Justin on the other hand, had to manage the run with a slightly different mind-set. Having had shoulder surgery mid-way through his training schedule and therefore needing to take a 8-10 week break from any exercise, he needed to rely far more on managing SELF-DOUBT and setting REALISTIC and ACHEIVABLE GOALS. With only 65% of his training schedule completed, it would be more a case of completing the course before dusk! His finishing time of 4hrs 13mins was testament to his fighting spirit and 'will to win' the INNER BATTLE.
Both Warriors would like thank everyone for their support and encouragement, but mostly for the very kind donations that came in. At present over £2700 has been raised for the PHTA. Donations can still be made by logging on to www.justgiving/marksiddall.com
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2 'happy bunnies' with their medals!! THANK YOU ALL.
Oct 07
WTA teams take charge of Inter
County Shield.
The U12 Boys and U14 Girls got off to great starts in their respective league openers in the 2007/8 ICS.
The boys, captained by Graham Rhodes, won a tight match with leading Oxfordshire centre White Horse. Stefan Rhodes, Sam East, Paul Monzakowski and Chris Reynolds held firm and played tough to outscore WH on sets, after the match had finished 3-3. Well done team, great work!!
The girls, captained by Tara Persuad and ably supported by Lynn Joyce, Roy Burge and Sandra Messim, overcame favourites West Hants, away from home! After the match finished 3-3 and the set scores were 7-7, a frantic counting of the games ensued.WTA sneaked the tie by 4 games, proving that in team competition...every game counts. Dani Persaud, Nicola Joyce, Kelly Burge and Sophie Messim represented WTA
Sept 07
Surrey County Championships 2007
WTA Warriors certainly came up with goods at this year’ Championships, with both access and full-time players featuring heavily in the latter stages of most events.
The major headlines go to our age group County Champions, Neville Marsh, Daniella Persuad, Adam Skalsky, Alex Knox and Jenny Whateley. Former WTA player Jasmine Asghar also became a County Champion in the U10 age group.
Daniella Persaud, who is coached by Mark Siddall, was delighted with her victory over Surbiton/Sutton JTC player Charlotte Pearce in the Girls U14 event. Her 6-3, 6-2 victory was well deserved for the hard working Daniella. ‘I am really proud of her effort since starting to coach Dani earlier this year’ said Coach Siddall. ‘She is a great asset to the WTA programme, and I look forward to helping Dani achieve more of her goals in the future’. Fantastic effort Dani!
Neville Marsh, who has recently joined WTA, stood up to tough challenges on his way to overcoming Brooks Allen in the final of the Boys U12 event, eventually winning 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. His coach Brian Love can be very pleased with Neville. WTA look forward to helping this Surrey Champion progress!
Jenny Whateley took the Girls U18 event by storm in winning the title without dropping a set. Having trained at WTA since we began in 2005, we are very proud to see Jenny win such a prestigious title. Jenny beat Elizabeth Nyenwe, from Sutton JTC in the final. Great job Jen!
Adam Skalsky, who accesses WTA from Reigate Tennis Club, certainly made his coach James Smith proud, by capturing the Boys U14 title. ‘Having been out for so much of the year with various injuries, Adam has shown what a fighter he is by achieving this great ‘year-end’ result, said Coach Smith. Huge respect Adam!
Alex Knox, had a fantastic week, winning the Boys U16 title with a thrilling 3-set victory over Theodore Voegt. Alex accesses the WTA team from his club in Woking where he works with Mark Wisdom. Well done Alex!
Other fine performances, by WTA players included: Sarah Townshend, Amelia Bengsston, Linnea Bengsston, David Fox, Adam Thornton-Brown, Eamon Soulsby and Harry Ware, who all made it the last 8 of their respective singles events!
Thank you to all players who entered and to the Tennis Surrey organisers for putting together another great tournament.
Aug 07
Laura Slater invited on to GB
Junior Federation Cup team!
Justin, Laura and Greg Rusedski at the National Championships 07
After yet another great year for the WTA based Laura Slater, the 15 year old from Camberley has been chosen by Head of Womens' Tennis Carl Maes and Head Coach of Womens' Tennis Nigel Sears to join a select group of 9 U18 girls, who are to be supported as the future of British womens' tennis!
Having reached the final of the British National Championships and the current Grand Prix Masters Champion, Laura was delighted to be selected. ' It is a great honour to be chosen for the GB Fed Cup team, especially by 2 coaches who have worked with the best players in the world ( Maes with Kim Clijsters and Sears with Daniella Hantuchova ). I will continue to work hard in my pursuit of being a top ranked professional tennis player, but I know it will be a long and tough journey'.
Her coach of 8 years, Justin Sherring, was equally proud of her acheivements.' Laura has had an outstanding year which started with her improving her world ranking to 400, continued with her winning her first National Title and after losing in 3 close sets in the Summer Nationals, selection for such a prestigious squad is quite fantastic. After playing at Junior Wimbledon,her world ranking has climbed steadily to just inside 200 and she is ready to travel the world with a great chance of success!'.
Laura will continue to see Justin on a part-time basis from September as she turns her attention to full-time training and travelling on the ITF and WTA circuits. Her new Senior Training Base will be at Bisham Abbey under the guidance of Mike Walker, Tennis Director of Win Tennis.
GOOD LUCK LAURA WE ALL KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!
The Under 12 Boys team did Weybridge tennis Academy proud by winning a closely fought encounter on Sunday away at Portsmouth by 8 sets to 6 after matches were tied at 3:3. With the previous match against Oxford also won on sets with a 3:3 match result, this now puts the team through to the Quarter-Final draw this week.
The team for the Portsmouth match had to be reshuffled at the last minute with a knee injury to Stefan Rhodes preventing him from playing singles but James Low stepped in at the last minute and showed great commitment and determination in losing a very close match at #4.Sam East was his usual dependable self, winning comfortably at #3 and Kieran Macarty, joining the team for his first match, had an outstanding win at #2, putting WTA 2:1 up.
Chris Reynolds at #1 played an energy sapping match being a set up and then after losing the second set, fighting back from 5-3 down in the final set only to lose out unluckily at 5-7.So 2:2 after the singles and game on.
With one more set gained vs Portsmouth (courtesy of Chris) in the singles, WTA needed to win one doubles in straight sets which Sam and Stefan (replacing James) duly delivered, winning 6-0,6-1 with Stefan's knee holding up well.Chris and Kieran battled back in their #1 doubles late into the evening from a set down only to lose a closely fought 3rd set championship tiebreak 8:10 !
So overall 3:3 and a win for WTA on sets, a good all round team performance and looking forward to the Quarter-Finals.Thanks to all the parents who came and supported and braved the cold !
Graham