GRASSROOTS
Binding sets his sights on London SW19
A WEARSIDE tennis player is aiming for a qualifying spot at Wimbledon this summer after volleying his way to success in 2018.
Jonny Binding, from High Barnes in Sunderland, had a year to remember on the court and hopes to do even better in 2019.
The 25-year-old, a member of David Lloyd Sunderland, has been competing in the sport since he was 16 - and in that period has flourished, being among the country’s top 10 junior players at 18.
Now he his sights on playing on the famous courts of London SW19.
Binding said: “Since taking up tennis I have represented the Durham and Cleveland county team at under-14, under-16 and under-18 as well as the men’s side, having been introduced into the sport through my parents.
“They knew I had an eye for the ball and I was taken to a tennis talent ID day where I was spotted and began to take up lessons at 10.”
Binding, who graduated from Durham University last September, was awarded a full Palatinate there for sporting achievements along with the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship for Sport.
He added: “I have a number of highlights from last year, including competing in 24 international events in eight countries including Kuwait, Singapore, Portugal, Germany, Tunisia and Ireland.
“I also won three doubles titles on the ITF circuit with three different partners and reached the quarterfinals of singles event in Ireland, Portugal, Kuwait and Germany along with promotion in the Durham and Cleveland County Winter and Summer County Cups.”
While at Durham University, Binding picked up BUCS National Championship title in 2015 and 2016.
He also claimed a bronze medal with the Great Britain Combined Universities’ team at the Masters BNP Paribas event in Lille.
A Lawn Tennis Association accredited Level Three coach, he is ranked in the top 500 players in the world in doubles and just outside the top 1,000 for singles - but is looking to improve through 2019.
Binding - who is backed by Lixir Tonic - went on: “The proudest moment of my career so far is beating Dan Evans 6-4 6-7 6-4 in the 2015 British Tour Masters quarterfinal in Nottingham.
“Winning the deciding doubles rubber against the hosts France to put the Great Britian university team through to the semi-finals against Russia in December 2016 was also a proud moment.
“My plans for this year are to improve my ranking enough to qualify for a spot in the Wimbledon doubles draw.
“Also, to continue to work hard and stay disciplined with my daily routines and stay fit and healthy.”
■ THE finals of an international junior tennis event which has launched the careers of some of the world’s greatest players has returned to Wearside.
For the fifth successive year Sunderland’s Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre played host to the under-12 girls’ finals of the Tennis Winter Cup, with some of Europe’s finest young female players taking part.
Sponsored by the international sports equipment manufacturer Head, the top eight teams in Europe competed in three days of top-class tennis.
Teams taking part were from Great Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine.
Winners were Russia, who defeated Bulgaria 3-0 in the final.