Three Open titles crown Wilson’s smashing 2017
A NORTHUMBERLAND county tennis champion has her sights set on yet more success on the court after a smashing 2017, writes SAM BLACKLOCK.
Emma Wilson, 20, from Cramlington, has served her way to honours with a series of top championship titles.
The former Great Britain under18s girls’ top-ranked player has been involved in tennis since the age of six and has gone on to win numerous regional and national titles.
Wilson, who attended Cramlington Learning Village, had a year to remember in 2015.
She won every tournament she attended, winning 28 consecutive matches to become British No 1.
Success on the court led to Wilson being offered the dream opportuinity of a four-year tennis scholarship at California State University in the United States, where she mixed playing the game with studying mathematics.
She said: “Since going to university at Fresno State I feel my tennis game has continued to improve.
“Fresno State are a Division One NCAA University who compete in the Mountain West Conference.
“I was named in the All Mountain West Conference team for 2016-17 for singles and doubles and named the “most valuable person” in the Fresno women’s tennis team. In 2017 I was named among the top 10 British tennis players playing in the American College tennis system.”
The 20 year old has been successful at under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-18 level for Northumberland having represented the county throughout.
She also joined the senior ladies’ squad from the age of 14.
Wilson also flew home from the States recently to compete in the Winter County Cup for Northumberland, who finished creditable runners-up to Kent.
While back in the UK, Wilson was also victorious in the No 1 singles position, winning matches against opposition from Surrey, Kent and Warwickshire.
She also had a summer to remember when returning to Cramington during her university break - she went the whole summer undefeated on the British Tour without dropping a set.
She was also victorious in the British Tour events at Ilkley and Newcastle.
In August, Wilson also enjoyed triple success in the Northumberland Open at Jesmond’s Northumberland Club - taking the women’s singles, doubles and mixed double titles to back up her singles and doubles success the previous summer.
The Northumberland Open is the most prestigious tournament in the North East, having been in existence since 1882.
Ann Jones, a Wimbledon champion in 1969, is one of the past winners.
Wilson took up tennis through her father, who first introduced her to the sport at Sunderland Tennis Centre as a three-year-old.
She added: “My aims for the future are to try and be as good as I possibly can be and achieve as high a ranking as possible.
“It would be good as well to be able to play in the Wimbledon Championships.
“To anyone looking to take up tennis I would say enjoy it and work hard. Anyone who wants to play tennis at a competitive level must be prepared to put in many hours of training, be prepared to travel and take professional coaching.”