Tennis First Grantees Impress at Lexus Junior Nationals
Tennis First grantees lit up the Lexus Junior Nationals this past week, delivering a series of standout performances and showing why they are among the brightest young talents in British tennis. From battling through tough draws to lifting national titles, our grantees proved that hard work and commitment are paying off on the country’s biggest junior stage.
In the Boys’ 11U singles, Fletcher Davies made a terrific run to the final, finishing as runner-up after a string of commanding wins including knocking out the number 1 seed in three sets. His relentless energy marks him out as one to watch in the years ahead. Fellow grantee George He also made a strong impression, battling through to secure 3rd place in the tournament.
The Girls’ 11U singles saw Victoria Ariana Florea push all the way to the final, losing out to top seed Isla Skeates who put in a commanding performance. Finishing as runner-up, Victoria’s fearless determination was evident throughout the week and it was great to watch.
In the Boys’ 12U singles, Tomas Gabor produced an excellent campaign to claim the runner-up spot, showcasing a strong all-round game and fighting spirit. Meanwhile, See Beetlestone and Cameron Rae both impressed with consistent performances to reach the semi-finals, unfortunately in the 3rd/4th place playoff Cameron had to retire but it was great to have three Tennis First grantees in the top four – a fantastic achievement. Cameron managed to claim the doubles title partnering with Max Hodkinson a win against Tomas Gabor and Matyas Oprchal.
In the 12U Girls’ doubles event, grantees Lainee Ngassam and Evie Pritchard team up to take the title in straight sets over fellow grantee Coco Witton and her partner Emma Fu.
The Girls’ 14U singles title went to April Sackflame, who captured the championship with a series of brilliant matches. Her composure and calmness in big moments set her apart as she claimed one of the most prestigious titles of the week. Grace Watson battled superbly to reach the final, finishing as runner-up after a determined campaign. The match was narrowly won by April 5-7,6-2, 7-6(5), both players should be very proud of their performance. On the double court, grantee Milica Sakamoto Milojevic claimed the title alongside her partner Hermione Korpanec Davies.
In the boys’ 14U event, Kamran Arif finished 4th in the singles event and partnered with Oliver Westbrook to claim the doubles title.
We are immensely proud of every grantee who competed, and we congratulate them on their performances. These results highlight not only their individual potential but also the collective impact of Tennis First in helping to nurture the next generation of British tennis stars.