Matthew’s well set for finals
Promising young tennis player Matthew Pickering has qualified for the Winter National Tour finals.
He’s off to the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton from March 24-26 after finishing ninth in the 12-and-under regular tour.
Dad Mike said: “Even at 12, Matthew spends almost as much time on physical training in the gym as he does on the court.
“The more improvement you make as a junior, the bigger the challenges and hurdles you face, requiring a huge commitment of your time and significant financial support.
“We are proud of Matthew’s achievements and are seeking sponsors to help support his tennis.”
Pickering, a pupil at Oakwood Park Grammar School, started playing aged five and trains at David Lloyd Kings Hill with head coach Shane Theobald.
Theobald said: “I have worked with Matthew for the past year.
“In this time he has gone from strength to strength, making notable improvements to his technique which should serve him well into the future.
“These improvements have seen Matthew turn into an aggressive baseline player, using the forehand to dominate and unlock his opponent.
“Matthew and his desire to try for every ball has helped him achieve good results and improvements in the rankings which, while not seen as the be all and end all, is a measured marker of his progress.”
Matthew Keeling-Jones, director of sport at Oakwood Park, said: “Matthew is a conscientious student, who we are sure will achieve great things on the tennis circuit.
“He is lucky to have the support of his coach and parents to guide him on his journey.
“We wish him luck for the forthcoming competition and of course, hope he will help Oakwood Park in their upcoming tennis competitions.”