Eleanor Nobbs

Chichester players Maureen Champa and Megan Goring reached the women’s doubles final of Play Your Way to Wimbledon at the All England Club. The pair, who play at Chichester Racquets and Fitness Club, described competing on Wimbledon’s grass courts as a memorable privilege. The mass-participation event attracts thousands of recreational players through local, county and regional qualifying stages, with new para-standing and deaf categories added for 2026. Organisers and partners Vodafone and the Lawn Tennis Association say the competition aims to make tennis more accessible to players of all ages and abilities.

Middlesbrough’s Rosine Pybus reached the women’s visually impaired B4/5 final at Wimbledon after qualifying as a lucky loser. The 34-year-old Tees Valley Sound Tennis player finished runner-up but described competing on Wimbledon’s grass courts as an unforgettable experience. The Play Your Way to Wimbledon event, supported by Vodafone, the Lawn Tennis Association and the All England Club, brought recreational players across multiple age, disability and ability categories to the venue, with para-standing and deaf competitions newly formalized for 2026.

High Wycombe’s Ewan Hayward reached the men’s visually impaired B4/5 final at Wimbledon’s Play Your Way to Wimbledon national finals, having won the event in 2023. The competition brought recreational players through local and regional qualifying rounds to Wimbledon’s grass courts, with more than 11,000 participants in the previous year. Other players from the High Wycombe area also competed across junior, doubles and disability categories. The event, supported by Vodafone, the All England Club and the Lawn Tennis Association, has expanded to include para-standing and deaf competitions and aims to make tennis more accessible.

Recreational tennis player Ryan Ng of Tonbridge reached the men’s doubles final at Wimbledon’s Play Your Way to Wimbledon national finals, partnering Canada Water’s Wenfeng Wang. Although they did not win the title, Ng described playing on Wimbledon’s grass courts before a crowd as a major personal achievement. Other local participants included Sachiko Krishnan, Poppy Helay and Dan Bradley. The competition, held from 2–8 August and supported by Vodafone, the All England Club and the LTA, gives players of different ages and abilities a route from local qualifying events to national finals, with wheelchair, learning disability, visually impaired, para-standing and deaf categories included.

Canada Water’s Wenfeng Wang reached the men’s doubles final at Wimbledon’s Play Your Way to Wimbledon national finals, partnering with Ryan Ng after narrowly missing qualification two years earlier. The Vodafone-supported competition gives recreational players a route from local events to Wimbledon’s grass courts and included junior, adult, wheelchair, learning disability, visually impaired, para-standing and deaf categories. Organizers said the newly formalized para-standing and deaf competitions aim to make tennis more accessible to players of all ages and abilities.

Thirteen-year-old Maria Saxby of Louth reached the 14&U girls’ singles final at Wimbledon’s Play Your Way to Wimbledon national finals after progressing through local, county and regional qualifying. She trained at Louth Tennis Centre and previously attended a Wimbledon coaching clinic after falling short in the prior year’s area finals. The event gives recreational players the opportunity to compete on Wimbledon’s grass courts and has expanded to include para-standing and deaf competitions, with support from Vodafone, the LTA and the All England Club.

Sutton tennis player Tracy Compton reached the women’s visually impaired B1 final at Wimbledon after qualifying through Play Your Way to Wimbledon events in Newport and Loughborough. Although the defending champion finished runner-up, she described returning to the All England Club as an overwhelming and memorable experience. The Vodafone-supported competition, delivered with the Lawn Tennis Association and All England Club, brings players of different ages and abilities to Wimbledon and has expanded to include additional para-standing and deaf categories.

Neal Skupski was eliminated from Wimbledon after losing two matches decided by tie‑breaks, first in men’s doubles with Christian Harrison and later in mixed doubles with Desirae Krawczyk. He noted the narrow margins and fast court conditions that contributed to the defeats. A past multi‑time champion at the All England Club, he said he will refocus on the upcoming US hard‑court season and take a short break at home in Liverpool before training resumes.

Defending champions Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool advanced to the second round of the Wimbledon doubles draw with a dominant win over Mariano Navone and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, losing only three games and facing no break points. The pair emphasized their confidence from last year’s title and described the opening performance as an ideal start. They next face French duo Corentin Moutet and Arthur Reymond for a place in the quarter-finals.

David Stevenson and Marcus Willis advanced to the second round of the Wimbledon men’s doubles after a comeback win over Joe Salisbury and Ariel Behar, surviving a second-set tiebreak before taking the match in three sets. The pair, awarded a wildcard following a strong grass-court season, capitalized on recent momentum and familiarity as partners. Their victory adds to a strong British presence at the tournament, with both players highlighting the significance of competing at Wimbledon and the support of family, friends, and fans.

Neal Skupski and Christian Harrison advanced to the second round of Wimbledon with a three-set win over Tomás Martín Etcheverry and Mariano Kestelboim after recovering from a first‑set tiebreak loss. Skupski reflected on the pressure and privilege of competing at his home Grand Slam while noting their resilience in key moments. The pair will next face Jakub Paul and Ryan Seggerman, with preparations focused on scouting their opponents following their earlier victory.

Katie Swan advanced to the second round at Wimbledon by defeating Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4 6-4, repeating her first-round win over the same opponent eight years earlier. Overcoming years of injuries and a period when she considered retirement, Swan described the victory as one of the most meaningful of her career. Her strong baseline play and crowd support contributed to the win, earning her a second-round match against Madison Keys.

British wildcard Harry Wendelken lost his Wimbledon main‑draw debut to world No. 75 Valentin Royer in four sets after taking the first. Despite the defeat, he described the experience as a major confidence boost, praising the strong home support on Court 14. Royer’s greater tour experience proved decisive, though Wendelken hopes to return next year and will continue competing in doubles alongside Johannus Monday.

British wildcard Toby Samuel narrowly lost his Wimbledon main-draw debut in a five-set battle against 15th seed Jakub Mensik after staging a strong late comeback. The 23-year-old, who recently surged over 1,000 places in the rankings following recovery from injury, reflected positively on his performance and growing confidence from recent results, including a semi-final run in Eastbourne. Samuel aims to build on his progress with a goal of reaching the US Open main draw.

British No. 2 Jan Choinski advanced to the Wimbledon second round with a straight‑sets win over Vit Kopriva, delivering a strong serving performance and maintaining confidence throughout challenging conditions. Support from his team and the favorable atmosphere contributed to his momentum. Fresh from breaking into the ATP Top 100, he now awaits the winner of the suspended match between Frances Tiafoe and Terence Atmane.