In 2010 Toby Mitchell, Dan Cochrane and Rich Gabb had the opportunity to practice with the worlds best and this year Miles Bugby, Toby Mitchell and Scott Clayton have enjoyed the priviledge. It is a fantastic opportunity for our young players to find out first hand what the target is, how solid and focused the top guys are and most importantly how relaxed they are when they practice.

It is always a joy but also a sharp reminder to me when I'm on court with the top guys how sweetly their ball strike is and how consistently heavy the hit is. Ability is a big part but the desire to find the sweet spot over and over again by disciplining the eyes to truly watch the ball and the feet to be in perfect position so often is arguably their biggest talent. Add to this the commitment to keep improving, the resilience to keep coming back from any disappointment and most of all their ability to endure and yet find some enjoyment in taking the pain of both the training and relentless work in points makes it clear how unique they are as people.

So who will win this Masters final? The slight ebb and flow of momentum between the top 4 is fascinating and ever changing. Novak was clear of the rest after the US Open but Andy had it before Paris with the 3 titles in a row. With Basle and Paris titles Roger has grabbed it back.   Rafa is unknown but will be fresh and chomping at the bit to re-establish as will Novak. Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga need a Slam or this title to announce themselves as part of a "big 5".  I cannot see Ferrer or Fish winning.

TEAMBATH-MCTA is motoring on well with career high rankings flowing in each week. Sam Murray is on the cusp of top 400 WTA, Rich Gabb and Toby Martin closing in on top 900 and Scott Clayton (ITF 177), Toby Mitchell (280),  David Fox (320) and Samm Butler (450)   all climbing. Sam has won 2 Challenger titles in Australia and both her and Lisa made a quarters in singles. The younger players are also climbing European rankings so we are pleased with overall progress.

Tennis Europe U16 Tour: Umeå International Junior Indoor Open, Umea, Sweden.

An early start and another hour in a plane north of Stockholm (after almost missing our connection) we arrived on the Arctic circle at Umea in good spirits. To the hotel which had live Sport benefits and an easy walk to the Tennis Club. Result.

In the end the qualifying draw did not happen so Freddie went into Main Draw alongside Dan (seeded #1) and Will (#5). This gave the boys 2 days to adjust and prepare. Practise Saturday and Sunday.

Round 1 saw Dan and Will get byes as seeded players. Freddie went down 64 61 to Noren (Swe) and into the consolation draw, which he went on to win by beating Tsirkun (Est) 62 64; Gulsturf (Den) 61 62 and Lusta (Est) 61 61. So great experience for him of seeing the level and playing some very good tennis along the way.

Round 2 in the Main Draw and William comfortably disposed of Larsen (Den) 60 62 with Dan taking a little more time to come through 63 36 64 against Largo from Spain.

Will’s next match was against local wild card Rasmussen. Rasmussen was decent and proved too strong for Will this time winning 60 63. Dan won another 3 setter, this time without playing his best, against Kauppila from Finland 64 36 61, to put him in the Semi.

Dan had to face Rasmussen who had beaten Will.  After getting to set point more than once Dan lost the breaker 8-6 in the 1st, he then recovered to win the 2nd 75. He came back from 52 down to eventually lose out 64 in the deciding set.

In the Doubles Will and Freddie teamed up and easily put away Largo (Esp) and Chris Reynolds (GB) 61 60; then Rudenco (Mol) and Van Riesen (Ger) 61 64.

Dan joined up with eventual singles winner Durasovic from Norway. After a 1st round bye they beat Larsen & Larsen 64 62 and then after walkover in the Semi also found themselves in the final.

So all three boys made a final on their 1st u16 Euro tour event. A good return.

A really close final saw Dan and Viktor take the 1st 6-4. Will and Freddie took the next 6-3 and went on to take the champions tie break 10-3 to claim the win.

Craig

Born in St. Albans, now living in Bath and working for Teambath-MCTA. I may have grown up with tennis racket in hand, however I have never forgotten the importance of my guitar...

I have a real passion for sport and have spent time as a professional tennis player and a strength & conditioning coach. During this time music has always been there behind the scenes, however it's now been pushing itself to the front of my priorities.

I have just finished recording a four track demo under the guidance of Terence Ryan and there are plenty more songs eager to meet the studio. The songs take inspiration from pursuing your talents and following your heart...

Please check out some of my recent material and show your support @

www.reverbnation.com/alexanderjoseph

www.myspace.com/alexander.joseph

After some excellent results in 2010 from Sid Hazarika, Toby Martin, Richard Gabb and Dan Cochrane it fell to the class of 1994 and 1995 to carry the mantle into 2011.

First up was a trip to our most adventurous destination, Libya in October 2010. The aim was for our 6 players to win their first ITF points. After a week in Tripoli enduring very high temperatures and challenging circumstances, David Fox, Samm Butler, Toby Mitchell, Brigit Folland, Seb Rey and Luke Johnson returned unscathed with the mission accomplished. All had won an ITF World Junior ranking. Toby and Luke were Doubles finalists and David Fox reached the singles semi final. With the job done and new recruits like Scott Clayton and Beth Askew joining the Academy in 2011 we looked forward to a strong showing throughout the rest of the year.

William Bissett, 14, from Devizes has become the tenth winner of the boy’s singles event winning the Final at Wimbledon playing phenomenal tennis, at the home of The Championships, where only a few weeks ago Novak Djokovic triumphed over Rafael Nadal to win the 125^th men’s title, and Petra Kvitova defeated Maria Sharapova to be crowned Ladies’ singles champion.

William, seeded 10^th, who plays at Devizes Tennis Club and Team Bath IHPC and goes to Monkton school defeated the number four seed Mason Recci from Warwickshire 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in an epic match.

"To be the tenth HSBC Road to Wimbledon champion feels really, really good. I was a bit nervous before the match, but all my matches have been tough so I knew I was well prepared to play Mason. Before the rain delay I started well and after a bit of a wait we continued where we left off in the 8th game and I managed to keep it going to take the opener 6-4."

"Then in the second set I lost my rhythm and was playing catch up after giveing Recci a 2-0 head start. He makes a lot of balls so I knew I had to try and keep him moving and I tried to come in to the net quite a lot."

"Competing in the HSBC Road to Wimbledon National Finals feels more special than any other event because you know that the pro's have been here. It is amazing to be junior and be able to play here on the grass."

This year HSBC Road To Wimbledon is celebrating its tenth anniversary of giving the opportunity of a lifetime to thousands of young British school children, the chance of an unforgettable tennis experience at Wimbledon. By competing first in one of over 800 local club or school events, and then qualifying via the County Finals. William qualified for the National Finals and was invited by The All England Club Lawn Tennis Club, and HSBC, to benefit from a fun-filled week of tennis. During the National Finals 64 boys and 64 girls from across the Country competed in the singles & doubles events experiencing the magic of the most famous grass courts in the world.

Tim Henman, Ambassador for the HSBC Road to Wimbledon 14 and Under Challenge was in attendance during the Finals and says, “The HSBC Road to Wimbledon is a wonderful way to inspire future generations of British tennis talent.  As it celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, it is hugely apparent that competitions like these are a fantastic way to help nurture British tennis.” He adds, “I will always remember the first time that I played at Wimbledon and I look forward to sharing this experience with this year’s finalists. It is a great pleasure to be able to help the The All England Club and HSBC support the stars of the future.”

Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship for HSBC talks also talks about sponsoring the prestigious junior tennis tournament, “Enjoying its tenth anniversary, The HSBC Road To Wimbledon is another example of how HSBC is supporting sport at all levels, from grassroots to elite, and if we can play a small part in the sporting development of these young players then we’ll be happy. We are delighted to give our support to what has become a much anticipated fixture in the junior tennis calendar”

For further information on the 10^th HSBC Road To Wimbledon event please visit www.hsbcroadtowimbledon.com