Alexander played his best  ever tennis !!  His serve stronger, and his fighting spirit was relentless. His hunger to win, was exhilarating!!

Alexander played three matches, and his first seemed to run on, for eternity!! All three matches were lengthy, and on the day, the sun had been intense.

Alexander played three sets (1st match), including a tiebreak.

Result: 5th overall (8 competitors).

The competition was of a high standard, and well organised.

Alexander and I ‘warmed up’, before the competition started.

Alexander’s first match was with Josh.

Duration: 1:05mins

Alexander won:  4 – 2, 5-3.

After a 10 minute break, Alexander was keen to play his second match.

Alexander’s second opponent was Isaac.

Now this match was another story!! Isaac took it upon himself, to consume a banana during the match!!

Alexander would applaud Isaac, on a few of his returns, and asked if Isaac was alright, as Isaac was misbehaving!!

Alexander won: 4-1,  4-0

It just goes to show, focus on your game, remain calm, and you get the job done!!

Alexander, was very excited to find out, that he would be competing, for the Sussex County Championships, on Bank Holiday Monday, at Lewes.

This year, Alexander’s first competition at Cranleigh, Surrey. The Tournament itself, hadn’t been held, since 2002.

The Cranleigh Grass Tennis Festival was well organised and very friendly. The facilitates (including, a coffee and an ice-cream van), were very good.

Alexander won 50% of his matches, in both singles and doubles. Overall, he came 5th  (from 9 players).

For the ‘Doubles’, Alexander partnered Tommy. Both boys suited one another, and they communicated very well.

One of the best tennis Tournaments, we have been too. This is Alexander’s third year, for  competing in tennis tournaments.

The day seemed more akin to autumn, than a late summer’s day !!

On first impressions, the Haslemere Tennis Club, hadn’t seemed very welcoming. In addition to the unfriendliness, the courts (the Council maintains) were slippery.

Alexander, couldn’t go for every long shot, and he still fell over three times!! Several other young players endured the same experience.

Alexander’s matches are always lengthy, because Alexander never gives up, and he fights for every point. This competition proved to be the rule, rather than the exception. The calibre had been very high.  Alexander won, one out of the five matches, he played that day. Every match could have gone either way, and the conditions hadn’t helped.

Alexander’s final opponent, had been Eddie. The match had been played in good spirits.  It had been the longest, with several deuces!!  Eddie only just beat Alexander!! Alexander came away in good humour, and was looking forward to a re-match!! Hopefully, Alexander and Eddie will play each other in the future. The match was exceedingly close, and very exciting. The crowd,  looked on with awe.

Alexander and I, came away with our opinions dramatically altered for the better. The  organisers,  ran the tennis tournament with precision, and with a very high standard.

One of the club’s coaches,  had even  asked an older female player (yellow 2 ranking), to play Alexander, so he could increase his match play!!

Yes, overall, our day at the Haslemere Tennis Club had been excellent, and we enjoyed the day !!

Looking forward to our return…