JUNIOR TENNIS PLAYERS GET A TASTE OF THEIR WIMBLEDON AMBITIONS WITH THE ROAD TO WIMBLEDON NATIONAL 14 AND UNDER CHALLENGE FINALS

19 August 2007

Next week will see the prestigious National 14 and Under Challenge held at the All England Club as part of the ‘Road to Wimbledon’ junior tennis initiative. Players will battle it out for the title from Monday 20 August to Saturday 25 August in a tournament which offers them a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete on the famous grass courts of Wimbledon.

Over 15,000 youngsters entered this year’s competition which began with closed singles events at local clubs and schools followed by the winners qualifying for their County Finals. From this stage, 44 county winners and the 20 best runners-up all qualified for next week’s National Finals.

The National 14 and under Challenge is sponsored by the All England Club in association with the LTA. It is an important aspect of the Club’s Road to Wimbledon junior tennis programme which aims to inspire and engaging more young people in tennis at both local and national levels.

Tournament Director and LTA Head of Men’s Tennis Paul Hutchins said: “We are thrilled that now in our 6th year, the tournament continues to go from strength to strength which is reflected in its’ popularity and standard of tennis. For the 64 boys and 64 girls who have reached these National Finals, it is testament to all their hard work and effort and they should be very proud that they have achieved their goal of playing at Wimbledon. As an added bonus to the competition, players will get to enjoy tours of the grounds, visits to the Wimbledon museum and finally a Thames boat ride and a trip on the London Eye to cap off what I expect to be a fantastic week for everyone involved.”

Tim Phillips, Chairman of the All England Cub commented: “To play at Wimbledon should be a thrilling experience. These junior players have the opportunity to compete on the very same courts that have been graced by the likes of this year’s Singles Champions Venus Williams and Roger Federer and we hope is a hugely inspiring factor for them. It is what makes this junior tournament so special. It promises to be a tremendous week of tennis and I’m quite sure it will be something all the players will never forget.”

The overall winners of the boys’ and girls’ singles events will be presented with Waterford Crystal trophies and the prize of a trip to the French Open at Roland Garros (May 2008) or attend the Championships, Wimbledon (June 2008).