Widnes’ Abi Redman enjoyed an unforgettable experience on the manicured lawns of Wimbledon – and got to lift silverware at SW19.
Redman, 15, who attends Wade Deacon High School and lives in Widnes, featured in the national finals at the Play Your Way to Wimbledon event, powered by Vodafone – the largest individual mass participation tennis competition in the UK.
Thousands of fourteen and under and eighteen and under players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon’s Aorangi Courts last week.
Redman, who described Iga Swiatek as her tennis idol, won Saturday’s Girls’ Doubles final alongside Eva Senior – and was understandably thrilled with her attendance at Wimbledon, and revealed it was an experience she will never forget.
FLYING into the last 16 ⚡
— LTA (@the_LTA) August 18, 2022
Catch up with how the Brits are getting on at @cincytennis 👇
She said: “It feels amazing. This is what I wanted to happen when I came into this tournament.
“The courts are amazing, playing in the same place that the pros have played is amazing and the grass is definitely my favourite surface. The organisation is amazing - it feels like a professional tournament. It’s well organised.
“I think me and Eva play quite well together so obviously it’s even better to win. It feels amazing!”
The competition looks to inspire the next generation of tennis talent; allowing junior players to follow in the footsteps of their heroes and compete for a chance to play on Wimbledon’s iconic courts.
Formerly known as the Road to Wimbledon, the competition launched in March and is delivered in partnership by the LTA, The All England Lawn Tennis Club, and Vodafone.
This year’s tournament will deliver over 10,000 playing opportunities across singles and doubles competitions in 800 venues.
From 2023, the LTA and The All England Lawn Tennis Club are planning for the competition to expand further, through the introduction of additional age groups and disability categories, which Vodafone is proud to support, whilst helping to encourage more kids to pick up a tennis racket.
Former British No.1 Tim Henman was in attendance to cheer on the youngsters at SW19 and offer his experience and advice.
He said: "My involvement goes way back to when this first started in 2002 and really using Wimbledon as the character to inspire the next generation.
"Now the partnership with Vodafone means Play Your Way to Wimbledon really speaks about encouraging that next generation and giving them that access and opportunity.
"It's a game that you can play for life so it's about encouraging more and more people to play tennis at a young age.
"The standard seems like it gets better and better every year and you think about the competition starting in local areas, thousands of kids participating and then the best ones coming through to Wimbledon.
"It's a great environment to see the enthusiasm and energy of all the kids and I think it's been a fantastic week and this is a great way to round it up."
Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is a junior tournament that gives players an opportunity to follow in their heroes’ footsteps and compete on the grass courts at Wimbledon. The All England Club and LTA are proud to partner with Vodafone to relaunch and expand the largest individual mass participation tennis competition in the UK – for more information visit wimbledon.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here