HOLLY HORSFALL has become the HSBC Road to Wimbledon doubles champion.
Playing terrific tennis alongside partner Emily Arbuthnott, the 14-year-old from the Thongsbridge club won 6-4 6-2 against Sophia Haine of Dorset and Holly Hutchinson of Buckinghamshire.
She also became the second girl to represent Yorkshire in consecutive years in the girls singles final, unfortunately losing to her doubles partner Arbuthnott (Hertfordshire) 7-5, 6-1.
A total of 128 boys and girls competed for the trophies, playing on the Wimbledon qualifier courts at The Bank of England Sports Centre.
“I’m very relieved and happy to have won the doubles after being runner-up in the girls’ singles,” said Holly, who lives in Holmfirth.
“The whole HSBC Road to Wimbledon experience has been really enjoyable, I could feel that I was getting better at playing on grass as the week went on.”
To reach the national finals, players had to first compete in one of over 800 local club or school events, then qualify via the County Finals.
Holly reached the finals and was invited by The All England Club and HSBC to benefit from a fun-filled week of tennis.
Tim Henman, Ambassador for HSBC RoadŠtoŠWimbledonŠ14 and Under National Challenge, attended the event.
“This is a wonderful way to inspire future generations ofŠBritish tennis talent,” he said. “As it celebratesŠits 10th anniversary this year,Šit is hugely apparent thatŠcompetitions like theseŠare a fantasticŠway to help nurture British tennis and build on what we’ve achieved so far.”
