The Shropshire County Tennis Championships drew nearly 200 players of all ages, making it a resounding success. Held at The Shrewsbury Club and the Cathie Sabin Community Tennis Centre, the event celebrated local tennis with a high level of participation and skill.
Fiona Jones, chair of Tennis Shropshire, praised the week-long tournament: “It was a fantastic celebration of Shropshire tennis, with an even higher standard of play than in previous years. The number of quality matches reflected our growing base of competitive players.”
Finals Day saw enthusiastic crowds, with matches across various age groups happening simultaneously. Jones added, “It was wonderful to see an under-nine girls’ match, over-55s mixed doubles, and under-14 boys’ singles all being played side by side. It truly highlighted the tournament’s inclusive nature.”
Competitions ranged from under-eights to over-55s, with both singles and doubles featured. New additions to the Championships, like the parent and child sponge ball competition, drew 21 pairs. The debut of the walking tennis competition, featuring players from clubs in Wem, Ludlow Castle, and Shifnal, also proved popular.
Jones credited the smooth organization to tournament referee Amy Dannatt and Simon Haddleton: “Their hard work ensured the event ran flawlessly.” She also thanked Keith Smith MBE, president of Tennis Shropshire, and the county’s junior team captains for presenting the trophies.
The Shropshire County Championships showcased the thriving local tennis scene, with players of all ages contributing to a successful and enjoyable week of competition.
