Two of Bedford’s tennis players have been reflecting on their opportunity to play on the hallowed courts of SW19, in the culmination of the annual ‘Play Your Way to Wimbledon’ event.
Formerly known as ‘The Road to Wimbledon’, Bedford’s Claire Grant and Nicola Wilson-Fowler may not have lifted silverware on the manicured lawns of Wimbledon, but they still enjoyed an unforgettable experience.
Almost a month after world number three, Iga Swiatek swept her way to a maiden Wimbledon title with a 6-0 6-0 victory over Amanda Anisimova, the world’s most famous tennis setting opened its doors to the nation’s amateurs.
The pair, who play tennis at Bedford’s Towers Health & Racquets Club, featured in the national finals at ‘Play Your Way to Wimbledon’, which is the UK’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition.
Grant and Wilson-Fowler failed to progress to the latter stages of the national tournament, but were still thrilled to attend Wimbledon and revealed it was an experience they will never forget.
Grant, who attended Wimbledon earlier in the year, said: “We’ve been so excited for the last few weeks. Who wouldn’t want to come [and play] here?
“It’s amazing to come here and watch the [professional] matches, but to play here, it still doesn’t feel real. It’s so quintessentially British. With all the flowers and the tradition, it’s great.”
Wilson-Fowler added: “It’s basically a once in a lifetime experience isn’t it. It’s been enjoyable to get here and this is the end prize. Now, win or lose, we’re going to enjoy ourselves.”
Connecting the grassroots with the elite
The competition aims to broaden playing opportunities and to inspire people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and follow in the footsteps of their tennis heroes by competing for a chance to play on Wimbledon’s iconic courts.
In addition to 14 and under singles, 18 and under doubles and adult doubles draws, the categories also included adult and junior wheelchair tournaments, learning disability and visually impaired competitions.
Grant and Wilson-Fowler are not the first Bedfordians to grace the lawns of Wimbledon; last year, junior player at Riverside Tennis Club, Lauren Essome-Ngodi also reached the national stage as a 13-year old.
Read: Riverside Tennis Club youngster reaches the ‘Play Your Way to Wimbledon’ national finals
The national finals also see the return of popular para-standing and deaf tennis exhibition matches held during the week.
World number one wheelchair doubles partners, Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid were also in attendance to cheer on the players at SW19 and offer their experience and advice.
“We would have loved to have had something like this when we were younger and playing” said Hewett.
“Play your Way to Wimbledon is a massive event for someone to pick up a racket for the first time or start playing again if they haven’t for a while.
“It’s about being active at grassroots level, making friends and new tennis partners and that is the beauty of events like this.”
Reid added: “We want tennis to be available and accessible to everybody and get as many people as possible enjoying the sport.
“This event encapsulates that perfectly and we’re proud to be a part of it.”
