On 16 September on the indoor courts of Easton Tennis Centre near Norwich four doubles pairs from Norfolk and Cambridgeshire duly arrived, donned masks and in a suitably socially distanced way, walked onto court.
 
Each pair played two matches and everyone savoured the sense of relief and euphoria to be playing a county match again. Fittingly the result was a draw with four rubbers being won by each team. Cambridge A won 3-1 and Norfolk B won 3-1. The real winner was tennis with the taking part being far more important than the result – just for once!
 
What did we learn from the experience? Well the two biggest negatives were the need for everyone to travel separately, which did not do much for global warming. Nor could we meet up after the match for refreshments and an extended chat. However the pluses far outweighed these irritations. Play was competitive but in very good spirit. There was ample opportunity to talk to opponents during and after the matches and the careful attention of Easton Tennis Centre to comply with Covid-19 requirements and yet remain welcoming was exemplary.
 
Many thanks to Jim Hunter, the Cambridgeshire captain, who did a fantastic job liaising with his opposite Number for Norfolk Rob Ollman. Well done to all the Cambridgeshire team who put in good performances against a higher rated team. We all look forward to a return match in Cambridgeshire before the year is out.

During this very crazy world of Covid19 and lockdown we are now experiencing, sadly all County and National Tennis events were cancelled from mid March. However, I am still very pleased to be able to report some brilliant achievements from many of our county players. 


Jan2020 Tipton Indoor Championships
45s MS semis - Andrew Moraghan 
45s MD Winner Pieter Van Houten, R/U David Mills & Nick Boys
50s WS & WD Winner - Teresa Catlin
55s MD R/U, Alan Jordan/Scott Martin 
60s WS Winner Judy Horn 
60s WD semis, Sue Mitchell /Pat Forster 
2019/20 Midlands Counties Veterans Winter Leagues, held at Corby Indoor Tennis Centre, our Cambs 55s Men's team (Capt. Ashley Martin) won the Men's 55s league for the first time in 27 years! It came down to 'winner takes all' as both Cambs and Leics were level on wins against Norths, Notts, Warks, Lincs & Beds. 
Also our Cambs 40s ladies (Capt. Christine Sprowell) having won the last 3 years, sadly were R/U this year.  They were in the same position having drawn on sets with Lincs up to the last match. So it came also came down to 'winner takes all' with Lincs winning. 
Scottish Indoor Championships   3-8 Feb 55WD Jenny Chin R/U
http://www.cambslta.org.uk/news
https://www3.lta.org.uk/


Further achievements but all matches were cancelled. Teresa Catlin, was selected to play for GB in the singles and doubles for the 50s ladies team and Judy Horn, Sue’s sister, selected to play for the ladies 60s team, at the 2020 World Tennis International Team and Individual Championships to be held in Florida in May. Also Dan Ahl (Cambs ex CPO) was selected to play for the men’s 50s team. 
Alan Jordan and Scott Martin were selected to play for our Men’s England 55s team in the 4 Nations Cup (England, Wales, Scotland & Ireland) Seniors age group tennis Championships due to be held at Bolton Arena mid May.


Hunstanton LTT was voted the best tournament of the year. 
Steve Shaw was voted the best volunteer. 
Teresa Catlin was then voted the best LTA Seniors Ladies player of the year alongside Dan Evans and Joanna Konta at a Virtual LTA Ceremony.  Please see below with Teresa’s comments. 
Then on Saturday 12 September @ CLTC, Teresa was presented personally by Edward Oakenfull who is STGB lead selector, her LTA Seniors player of the year, trophy. 
https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/tennis-news/news-and-opinion/general-news/2020/july/lta-tennis-awards/teresa-catlin-named-womens-senior-player-of-the-year-at-lta-tennis-awards/

Yujiro's star continues to rise after victory in the LTA Youth National Series 18. 

In an event for the top 16 players in the 18 years and under category, 16 year old Yujiro was the youngest player at the tournament, but that did not hold back the Cambridge ace.

In the first round, he defeated Oliver 6-2 6-0, and followed that up in the quarter finals with a 6-4. 1-6 10-5 success over Matthew.

The semi finals saw Yujiro pitted against top seed William, and he emerged triumphant 6-4 6-3 to set up a final against third see Billy.

Afer losing the first set 6-4, Yujiro responded by taking the next two sets 6-4, 10-5 to take the overall victory.

As the prize Yujiro received a wildcard offer to play in the LTA British Tour: Return to Elite Competition event at the National Tennis Centre from 4th to 6th September.