Ipswich Sports Club is currently hosting its 9th successive LTA Grade 3 Junior Tennis Tournament this week, writes Victoria Butler.

The tournament is an important part of the LTA competition calendar and provides the ideal opportunity for local ranked players to compete on their doorstep against players from all over the country.

There have been more than 200 entries for this year’s event, a very impressive turn out. The age range is diverse with players aged between the ages of eight and the eldest being 18.

Play got underway on Sunday with the competition set to continue through to finals day on Saturday.

Club top junior player, Seth Newman has been playing in this year’s tournament.

He was ranked No. 5 in Great Britain for U12 age group but has now turned 13 and is currently playing in the U14 age group.

Another player who has joined us this week is Aneka Petal seeded No.2 in her age group U12, she is one of the many players who have travelled a great distance to play here at the club.

Andy Yorke, manager of Ipswich Sports Club, explained that many of the players have come from outside the county with their families supporting them. “The Club can only host events, such as this one, due to our fantastic tennis facilities with nine outdoor courts and three indoor courts along with our professional catering (The Courtside Bistro) and hospitality.

“This year’s event is bigger and better thanks to the generosity of our tournament sponsors and our numerous committee volunteers.”

To ensure the 2018 event is the best to date, the club has also laid on a variety of activities for the players and others around them to engage in when not playing, a popular one being the table-tennis table, there are also the new electronic scoreboards, which display the live scheduled matches and results as they happen, so players can ensure they are kept up to date on match times and progress with the draws.

Club members have continued to enjoy their regular tennis which includes ladies mornings, league games, free Club nights, disability coaching sessions, tennis try-outs etc.

If anyone is interested in having a go at tennis, please call Tennis Manager, Chris Daynes on 01473 251143.

The Club caters for complete beginners to those wanting some fun competition.