Cirencester Tennis Club hold a Road to Wimbledon tournament annually, which is open to all tennis players under 14. This year, Anya won the girl’s competition and went on to the Gloucestershire County Finals.

Although she came second there, she had quite a consolation prize – meeting tennis greats at Wimbledon!

Along with the other county runner-up’s, she took part in a training session with ex-tennis stars Tim Henman OBE and Dan Bloxham, the All England Club head coach and Wimbledon master of ceremonies. Touring around Wimbledon and using the players’ changing room and restaurant was all part of the excitement for a young woman who dreams of a future on its courts. Anya said: “I look up to all of these incredible tennis players. It would be amazing to play like them one day.”

This was not Anya’s only encounter with famous faces this year; she also attended a rally with Judy Murray in June, alongside the top ten players in the county. Murray runs the rallies to inspire more girls and women into tennis.

Anya is now looking ahead to future triumphs and said: “I can’t wait to try to go to Wimbledon again and I’m hoping next year I can finally win it!”

Anna Gell, the junior chair of Cirencester Tennis Club, is just one of the many people cheering her on. She said: “Next year will be her last chance to actually win the Road to Wimbledon competition – we keep saying third-time lucky!”

Tennis at Rendcomb College

Pupils from Year 7 through to Year 13 can take part in the Tennis Club in the summer term with a parents’ Tennis Club also being available. The club is available to all pupils regardless of experience with the aim to develop their skills and potential while enjoying learning about the sport and making plenty of friends.

Rendcomb College has four recently upgraded tennis courts for use by all students. This summer, the school hosted a Family Tennis Tournament with more than 300 players. Family teams competed against each other and received LTA Coaching throughout the day.

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