Anyone for tennis?

It can't have escaped your attention that Wimbledon 2013 starts tomorrow and the papers are full of it. Not only do we have long articles about the form and psychology of each seeded player but also about 'the ones to watch', plus tennis themed features on shoes, clothes, food, drink, cosmetics, restaurants, etc. From 10 Things you didn't know about Andy Murray, I learned that he would eat ice cream from dawn to dusk, were he not in training, though he doesn't believe in no sex the night before a match, like many boxers and football players, because tennis players play matches so often that he'd never have any - good to know he isn't missing out on all his treats then !

But on a more serious note, I spotted an article by Justin Cartwright in the Evening Standard, criticising the Lawn Tennis Association for its poor progress in establishing tennis in schools - so bad that apparently Sport England is threatening to cut its funding. It struck a disappointing note for me too as I have enjoyed many years of playing tennis thanks to my Father and to my (state) school.

I was taught to play tennis by my Dad who grew up playing on local Derby Council parks' courts. I learned with him at Darley Park on their excellent grass (yes, grass) courts and played for my school. Such was my pretty raw talent that I was even selected for county trials. Unfortunately this was where my dreams of Wimbledon evaporated in an afternoon when my Dad and I found ourselves surrounded by what I can only describe as 'loads of posh girls' and their equally posh families and coaches. We were both terrified, I played terribly and of course, wasn't asked back. Despite that set-back, I continued to play and especially enjoyed some brilliant times at the De la Bere Tennis Club when I lived in Cheltenham.

So, I'm all in favour of more tennis being taught in more state schools and in local communities and of the sport being taken more seriously there. All little ones should have equal opportunities to not only learn how to have a 'knock about' but also, if they show talent, to be able to progress beyond what Justin called 'a bit of a lark' and to be able to take it as seriously as the rest of our European competitors.