Well done to all our tournament participants and winners on Saturday! Read on for the full report and results.

Who needs tickets to Wimbledon when we have this standard of tennis in our own club!  This year’s finals were some of the most entertaining we have ever had, and a huge crowd turned up to cheer on the competitors.  Unbelievably, the sun shone until just after the trophies had been presented too.

The Men's singles match was arguably the best quality final we have had at BLTSRC. The match was between former world Junior Champion Josh Sapwell, 25, (now a member of the Berkhamsted Tennis & Fitness coaching team) and Joel Pierleoni, 19, who has come through all levels of the coaching programme at Berkhamsted, starting at 5 years old. The match was eagerly anticipated by the tennis members, and it didn't disappoint - going the distance over 2 hours and 30 minutes, with Joel prevailing in the end 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, to win his first Men’s Singles Title.  "I really enjoyed playing on finals day. It was an amazing atmosphere with overwhelming support. In a sport where you can feel quite alone, it meant a lot having so many people behind me. I'm very pleased to have won my first singles title at my home club," said Joel.

Josh played his part in the match pushing through an ankle problem and making Joel work for every point to earn the win. "The better player won on the day. Sport can be cruel sometimes; the early ankle setback didn't help, but the incredible turn out from members and friends and their support drove me on to push Joel all the way", said Josh. Joel then partnered Matt Markwort to claim 'the 'double' and win the Men's Doubles, again defeating Josh Sapwell and his partner Phil Casserley, 6-4, 6-3. Long-time member Matt won his first major event at the club.   "I have known Joel since he was 7 years old when I started coaching him. There was always something a bit different about what he could do with a tennis ball and over the years he proved that by representing Great Britain numerous times" said Tyrell Diaz Stevens, Joel's former tennis coaching and Director of Berkhamsted Tennis & Fitness.

The Ladies singles saw former champion Nicola Simper reclaim her title after a 4 year break from the event. Her victory came against a new member to the club, Sam Walsh, who had a great first time event. The Ladies doubles was won by Judith Allnutt and Jenny Webster. Judith has been winning titles at the annual tournament for many years and has now won the ladies doubles 24 times! Again she proved unstoppable, with the help of Jenny, the Ladies 1^st team captain, beating Kate Murphy and Nicola Gallamore 6-4, 6-4.

Over the day there were 32 matches played in both the main draw and plate events, with a record crowd in attendance to see all the action.

A full list of results can be found here.

Photos of the day can be found here.

Thanks to Sue Wolstenholme OBE for presenting the trophies, Claire and Graham and their team for providing us with delicious food and constantly flowing drinks but most of all to Tyrell for running such a successful tournament.  Not forgetting - thanks to all our wonderful members who made it such a memorable and eventful day.

David Lidderdale Trophy

Every Finals Day the club presents an award to a junior - The David Lidderdale Trophy. This trophy recognises a particular junior member and their achievements on the court and off over the past 12 months. David played at the club for a number of years, was a fully active member and represented all the men’s teams including the 1st team. He was always interested in junior development and encouraged and indeed partnered juniors when they made the step up to senior tennis. The trophy named after him is not necessarily for the best junior, or best results, but a junior who has worked hard/been committed to their tennis and has been an active club member who joins in all aspects of the junior and senior sections.

This year’s winner has been an active junior member throughout the year. As well as training himself, he has played in teams, box leagues and helped with junior coaching. He was the unanimous choice of the coaching team to receive it this year. The award for 2022 was presented to Harry Templeton-Steadman. 

Junior Tournament Results

Main Events:

U8                                Winner    Curtis Yung                          Runner Up       Jacob Wilcock

8-10 Singles                 Winner    Zachary Wilcock                  Runner Up       Henry Cartwright

9-11 Singles                 Winner    Samuel Cooper Rolfe          Runner Up       Maverick Smith

U14 Boys Singles         Winner   Connor Reardon                   Runner Up       William Magson

U18 Boys Singles         Winner   Ryan Friend                          Runner Up       William Magson

Plate Events:

9-11 Singles                 Winner    Samuel Lelieveld                 Runner Up       Nathan Connell

U14 Boys Singles         Winner    Lucas Dale                           Runner Up       Oscar Tobin    

U18 Boys Singles         Winner   Harry Templeton Steadman                          Runner Up       Toby Grech

Lastly, someone lost a very sentimental ring at the Club on Saturday whilst watching the finals. It is a gold signet ring, squarish in shape and engraved on the inside. If anyone may have seen it please can you let the office know. Thank you.