Play Your Way to Wimbledon National Finals

Earlier this month, Grace H took part in the 'Play Your Way to Wimbledon' National Finals. She had already come through a tough qualifying campaign to earn her place at the event, and this was her opportunity to take to the courts at the All England Lawn Tennis Club - a most special venue in the sport.

Grace competed in the 18U Girls’ Doubles alongside her partner, Mia from Inkberrow Tennis club. They started extremely well in the group stages, winning their opening match 6-0, 6-0 and following that with a 6-1, 6-3 victory.

They continued their run with a 7-6, 6-3 win in the quarter-final before facing their toughest test so far. This was a best-of-three-set match and, after winning the opening set 6-1, they lost the second 6-3. They had to dig deep in the deciding match tie-break and eventually came through 10-3 to book their place in the final.

The final was incredibly tight. Grace and Mia found themselves 6-3 down in the first-set tie-break before fighting back to win five points in a row and take it 8-6. The second set also went to a tie-break, which they won 8-6, to be crowned Play Your Way to Wimbledon 18U Girls’ Doubles Champions.

We are incredibly proud of what Grace and her partner have achieved. She has come away from the week with some brilliant memories, but also motivated by the experience and with the ambition to one day earn the opportunity to return to Wimbledon.

Photo Credit: AELTC