Successful finish for Road to Wimbledon 2012

The HSBC Road to Wimbledon 2012 started in April with the clubs and schools events taking place all across Great Britain. By the end of July, all the county finalists and runners-up had earned their places at the national finals by qualifying through the initial two stages of competition.

Tournament Director Paul Hutchins along with ITF referees Denise Parnell and Peter Finn orchestrated the completion of over 140 group stage matches during the first two days of the competition, having to contest with just a few rain delays, all matches were completed in time for the player’s party on Tuesday evening.

Next it was on to the knock-out competitions, four singles and two doubles draws, played over the remaining four days decided the winners of the 2012 HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 & under national challenge after a week of exceptional junior lawn tennis.

This year, Warwickshire was the home county of the boys’ singles champion, Luke Hammond, 13, who is already taller than our Tournament Ambassador Tim Henman and showing he could be a great grass court player. With a year to go in the 14 & under age group Luke already has his sights set on attempting to defend his title in 2013.

Hertfordshire gave us the girls’ singles champion, Emily Arbuthnott, 14, who trains at Batchwood Tennis Centre, a club that has suffered greatly having had its indoor facilities destroyed in a fire 12 months ago.

Emily will be remembered as only the third girl to have won both the singles and doubles event in the tournament's history. After winning the singles, she partnered singles runner-up from Yorkshire, Holly Horsfall, 14, to scoop both titles adding to an already memorable week of tennis.

James Davis, 13, of Kent and Piers Foley, 14, of Berkshire were crowned boys’ doubles champions denying Luke Hammond the clean sweep of titles who with his talented team mate Barnaby Smith of Buckinghamshire will have to settle for the runner-up trophies.

The consolation draws give the players who came third and fourth in the group stages a chance to enjoy more competitive experience, and East of Scotland’s Heather Croll, who just turned 13, won the girls consolation singles and like Luke could be back next year.

Lancashire’s Robert Edwards triumphed in the boys’ consolation singles and like all the champions had his Waterford crystal tennis ball presented by Tim Henman and John Barrett.

“This has been a great week for HSBC Road to Wimbledon here at the Bank of England sports Ground, Roehampton, where every year they play the Wimbledon qualifier competition, the tournament is here because of the Olympics at The All England Club," said Hutchins. "I’d like to thank the clubs , schools and Counties for their cooperation in getting the first two stages completed, and I’d like to thank Tim Henman for his support along with Dan Bloxham of the WJTI for running the clinic, and John Barrett who came up with the vision for this national competition over ten years ago.”