A teenage tennis ace from Bolton has described what it was like to play on the famous grass of Wimbledon after an unforgettable experience. Elliot Taylor may not have lifted silverware on the manicured lawns of Wimbledon – but he still made his parents proud after his time at SW19.
The 14-year-old, who attends Rivington and Blackrod School and lives in Bolton, featured in the national finals at the Play Your Way to Wimbledon event – 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.
Elliot, who described Andy Murray as his tennis idol, failed to progress to the latter stages of the tournament – but was still thrilled with his attendance at Wimbledon and revealed it was an experience he will never forget.
“The grass courts are just nice to play on,” he said. “Everyone’s been happy and the facilities have been great.
"This was my first time at Wimbledon. It’s really nice and the weather’s been really great, which is lucky!
"Over the next few years I hope to play some national tournaments. My family is very proud.”
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. It 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.
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, 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.
"My involvement goes way back to when this first started in 2002 and really using Wimbledon as the character to inspire the next generation,” Henman said. "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
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