Zane relishing captain’s role
Maidstone tennis player Zane Cheeseman captains the England over-35s team at the Four Nations tournament this weekend.
Cheeseman, 39, leads a threeman team who will take on Scotland, Ireland and hosts Wales on indoor hard courts in Wrexham.
A former Astor of Hever pupil, Cheeseman is hoping to lead his country to victory after his surprise call-up.
“It was a complete shock,” he said.
“An email came through to see if I’d be available and when I said I would be, they came back and said I’d be captain as well, which is even better.
“My job is to select the team for each day, based on what I think will work best against who we’re playing.
“I’m going to say we’re favourites, because I’m biased, but it depends on who the other teams put out.
“I’d expect Wales to be strong, as the hosts, but we’re going there to win it, and I want to be the captain that wins it.” Two years ago, Cheeseman won the national over-35s doubles in partnership with his childhood friend Stephen Weatherall, who’s also in the Four Nations team.
Last summer, they finished runners-up at Wimbledon, one of three appearances Cheeseman’s made at SW19, having twice made the over-35s singles final.
“It’s a dream to play at Wimbledon when you’re growing up,” said Cheeseman, who reached his highest over35s doubles world ranking of eight in August last year.
“It’s one of the most awesome things and I’ve been lucky enough to do it three times. “Sadly, you don’t get to play on the show courts but you can walk around them and take in the environment.
“The next goal is to represent England, and now that’s happening, so it’s two dreams come true.”