Review by the Chairman of the Rackets Committee

Rory Sutton, Chairman of the Rackets Committee

The top ranked players in the UK have been bringing the next generation of top players (both ladies and men) together in a series of development squads which have been a huge success.

We have had a fantastic Rackets season; the game is in a great place. We enjoyed a full fixtures schedule with many record entries: a sign of high participation and a thriving sport. This report highlights some of the on-court activity and initiatives that the T&RA have been supporting.

In the men’s game, the ever-popular season opener the ‘Noel Bruce’ – showed how keen players were to get back on court, with Haileybury (Tom Billings and Mark Farmiloe) beating the previous year’s champions, Winchester (Christian Portz and Mike Bailey) to win a very competitive tournament.

Our British World Champion Tom Billings showed his class again winning the Amateur Singles and the Brown Advisory British Open Singles (a draw that was at full capacity). In the doubles game, Tom Billings and Richard Owen had a World Championship Challenge, against the holders, James Stout and Jonathan Larken. This was a repeat of the 2018 challenge, but the result was very different this time. Tom and Richard played exceptionally well in the first leg at Queen’s Club to take a 4-0 lead over to New York, where in the second leg they won the second game, which they needed to take the title. Tom and Richard also picked up the Amateur Doubles and the Brown Advisory British Open Doubles titles.

Ben Cawston’s development has continued, and after winning the US Open, Manchester Gold Racquet, Western Open, the Invitational Singles, and the Professionals’ Singles, he has earned the right to challenge Tom for the singles World Championship in November 2022, with a two-legged match scheduled across Chicago and London. Good luck to both players. The ever-popular Manchester Gold Racket, Clifton Cup and Cheltenham Gold Racket were well attended and our thanks go to the organisers and professionals for making those a success.

The ladies’ game has continued to go from strength to strength. Queen’s Club has been sponsoring a ladies’ club morning on a Sunday morning and several tournaments were held throughout the season. Tara Lumley and India Deakin won the Brown Advisory British Open Doubles. Due to the high entry, we had to run our first qualifying event for the Brown Advisory Singles, with Georgie Willis eventually beating Cesca Sweet in a thrilling final.

In the Ladies World Championships, the top four ladies battled it out in an eliminator series, with Cesca Sweet beating Tara Lumley in a tight contest for the right to challenge the reigning champion Lea Van Der Zwalmen. In the Championship match, Lea had too much experience and retained her title with a 3-0 win. Well done Lea. In memory of Andrina Webb, who sadly passed away during the season, we renamed the Mixed Doubles in her honour. Andrina was a huge supporter of the game and she would have been delighted in the spirit in which the tournament was played, eventually won by Georgie Willis and Rory Giddins.

The top ranked players in the UK have been bringing the next generation of top players (both ladies and men) together in a series of development squads which have been a huge success. Thanks to Mike Bailey for taking this forward and to Tim Cockcroft and John Prenn for their sponsorship.

In the U18s, the RPA have managed to deal with record entries in the Brown Advisory Nationals Schools. Cesca Sweet (Wellington) winning the Senior Girls tournament, and with Lilly May Redshaw (Wellington) winning the senior Girls Doubles. Magnus Garson (Radley) won the Foster Cup, with Olly Hatfield and George Livesey (St Paul’s) winning the Doubles. Our thanks go to all the professionals for their hard work throughout the season.

The T&RA and Rackets Committee have been busy not only in running the tournaments but looking to preserve and develop this great game. We have been sponsoring U21 and U24 players evenings at Queens and Manchester, which have been hugely popular. We have continued our Scholarship Programme (formerly Fellowships), which has been greatly appreciated by the North American clubs. This year we also introduced a doubles ranking system which has helped to bring some science to the seedings of tournaments – much to the delight of the players. We also reinstated the Over 40s tournament to give a chance for old rivals to battle it out for bragging rights once again.

I’d like to close with a few ‘thank you’s. Firstly, to the Racket’s Committee for your hard work throughout the season. Secondly, to all those involved in the Harrow court refurbishment, particularly Charles Hue Williams and John Prenn, and those working hard on supporting the Eton sports centre redevelopment. Thirdly, on behalf of the membership to the T&RA staff who have worked tirelessly – including ramping up our social media and press presence providing news and updates to our members. Fourthly, to the referees, markers, professionals, tournament organisers and the clubs for their efforts. Lastly, to our sponsors Brown Advisory, who have continued to shown unwavering support for the game.

Thank you.