Launcestonian Tennis Duo Mary Shanks and Emily Strawbridge might not have gotten the silverware this week on the mowed lawns of Wimbledon,but they had fun getting an unbelievable experience at SW19.
Shanks and Strawbridge matched for the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, sponsored by Vodafone, which is Britain’s one of the most popular individual mass participation tennis competition, and is arranged in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club.
The number of players participated in the qualifying lap this year for primary of county and regional finals in June and July with the winners’ elimination of the national finals on Wimbledon’s Aorangi Courts last week.
The Launceston locals didn’t only make it up for the final of the 18&U girls’ doubles tournament, but they were pleased to attend Wimbledon and emerged it out as an experience they’ll have never forgotten also.
Emily Strawbridge made a speech for Ealings Times and said about that it was an amazing experience. We played here last year as well and it’s just really good vibes. We did lose both our games last year, but it was our first time and we made loads of memories, so that’s we came here for.
Shanks added that she feels like she just can’t even remember not playing tennis and she just loves it. She loves doubles as well. The aim was just to have fun and do volleys. They both love going into the net and attacking.
The event, which held between 2-8 August, gives to the recreational tennis players of all ages and abilities the chance to take part on Wimbledon’s acknowledged publicly grass courts, less than a month after the Championships.
In addition, participants were accepted to join a tour of the Grounds and enjoyed of competing at Wimbledon, seeing the all-white dress code and using the official player facilities.
Last year we’ve seen over 11000 players participating in the competition, with more than 780 venues holding the initial stages and 340 players becoming successful for the national finals.
This year Vodafone financed Play Your Way to Wimbledon and this tournament was backed up by the All England Club and LTA hosting 14U Junior Singles, 18U Junior Doubles, 19+ Adult Doubles, Wheelchair Adult and Junior, Learning Disability and Visually Impaired categories, in addition Para – Standing and Deaf competitions – newly arranged categories for 2026.
A training clinic for 14&U players was run by Head Coach of the All England Club Dan Bloxham as well.
Play Your Way to Wimbledon inspires tennis lovers of all levels to hold a racket and take part in the sport. Participants begin by competing in communities like at their club, park or school before gaining in county and area finals and finally succeding in the national finals at Wimbledon.
Jamie Baker, Associate Director of Professional Tennis and Tournament Director of the Championships, Wimbledon said:
“In partnership with Vodafone and the LTA, we are delighted to open up Play Your Way to Wimbledon to even more players with the addition of para-standing and deaf competitions.”
“For many of these players, competing on Wimbledon’s grass courts will be their first experience on their surface. We hope this competition continues to inspire players at all ages,backgrounds and abilities to discover the fun and benefits of tennis.”
Play Your Way to Wimbledon powered by Vodafone, is the UK’s one of the biggest individual mass participation tennis competition.It is part of Vodafone’s continuing commitment as Official Connectivity Partner to the Championships, to make more people close with the sports and activities they love, while supporting grass roots tennis and enabling the support more accessible to players of all ages and abilities.
