15th January 2008

Tim Henman with children from the HSBC Road to Wimbledon

HSBC BANKING ON HENMAN TO ASSIST DEVELOPMENT OF BRITISH TENNIS

HSBC, one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world, has announced its commitment to the future of British Tennis.  The HSBC Road to Wimbledon is a National 14 and Under Challenge aimed at supporting British Tennis at a grass roots level and gives junior tennis players the chance to compete at a local, county and national level.

HSBC, the Official Bank of The Championships, Wimbledon, is delighted to be the first sponsor of the Road to Wimbledon and to contribute to the development of British Tennis. “The event has grown incredibly since we started in 2002, with over 20,000 children expected to take part this year and with HSBC’s investment we look forward to now building on this platform and taking the event forward”, comments Paul Hutchins, Tournament Director and Head of Men’s Tennis at the LTA.

HSBC has reinforced its commitment by teaming up with Tim Henman as official ambassador to the initiative.  “It’s great to see HSBC continuing to invest in British Tennis. They supported me through much of my career and having participated in their Schools events as a kid myself, it’s brilliant to come full circle and link up with HSBC to put something back into the game I love,” says Tim Henman.

The largest national junior grass court tournament of its kind, The HSBC Road to Wimbledon runs from the 1st of March 2008 with the finals, held at Wimbledon, between the 18th and 23rd August. Closing date for entries in to the competition is the 21st January. For further information on the competition or to download an entry form please visit www.wimbledon.org/roadtowimbledon

The kids involved will not only have a chance to play at the home of British Tennis, but the eventual winners will also receive training bursaries along with behind the scenes trips to the Wimbledon Championships themselves, courtesy of HSBC.

“HSBC is committed to The Road to Wimbledon and the young players who will take part. Everybody here wishes all those participating the best of luck and looks forward to seeing a new generation of tennis players emerging from the programme,” states Alan Keir, Group General Manager, Commercial Banking HSBC Bank plc.