Wellow Tennis Club’s Festival of Tennis last Saturday was a huge success. 

Run in conjunction with ex-Wimbledon player Danny Sapsford’s charity ‘Bright Ideas for Tennis’, over 120 visitors enjoyed free coaching and a stunning exhibition match on the club’s courts at Hatches Farm. 

Danny was joined by Marcus Willis, famous for playing Roger Federer on centre court at Wimbledon in 2016, and their enthusiasm in interacting with all present, particularly the younger visitors, was infectious. 

They ran four coaching sessions, a fastest serve competition and were on court for over five hours with almost no breaks.

The festival ended with an exhibition match with Willis and Ashton Kerslake, a coach from Wellow’s coaching partners Premier Tennis, pitted against Danny Sapsford and under 16 Hampshire County star Eddie Sanders in a great fun set which eventually went to Willis and Kerslake. Sapsford and Willis then played two tie-break sets against four Wellow club members. 

The club signed up 13 new members during the day and in total over £1,000 was raised which will be invested in the club and its facilities -and to encourage young people or any under-represented group into tennis at Wellow. 

Club chairman Gordon Taylor said: “Thanks to the brilliant efforts of Danny and Marcus and the hard work of Premier Tennis coaches Fraser Hussey and Ashton Kerslake the event exceeded our expectations. Lots of club members worked tirelessly in welcoming many guests several of whom have joined the club. 

“A very successful raffle supported by many local businesses and hostelries raised funds which will form a foundation for our future efforts to continue to grow the club with a focus on younger players and others new to tennis. This is another big step in confirming Wellow Tennis Club as the best small club in the south.”