Girls U21 Handicap Singles 2024
Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the Girls U21 Handicap Singles 2024!
Match report
What a fascinating tournament it turned out to be. Once again, we ran the tournament on a group basis,
starting with the highest handicaps first, with the group winner moving into the group above. Most of our
entrants had played in the tournament before so it be interesting to see how much they had improved having
benefitted from a year’s further experience and in some cases LRTA/Dedanists coaching.
As always at this level, the game is dominated by keeping the serve and serving to a consistent good length.
Our youngest competitor was 11 years old Zoe Neville (Wellington), with a lawn tennis background, she showed
considerable talent after only playing for a few weeks, moving about the court well, happy to play forehands
and backhands, as well as going for volleys off the return of serve. Whilst she didn’t win any matches Zoe grew
with experience and only lost 6 -5 to Hilary in her last match. Hilary Hawthorne (Oxford University) had only
picked up a racket in the summer holidays and to start with she rushed her shots but by the third match found
the length of her bobble serve, stopped rushing her shots and began to gently place the ball into the backhand
corner, bringing off a good win against Erin Hartman (Seacourt). Erin hits the ball beautifully off the backwall
and returned some exceptionally difficult serves when playing against Alice Dyer (Wellington). The last match
of the day, Alice versus Daisy Clifford (Oratory) would decide who would go through as the group winner. Both
players attack any loose ball well, particularly to the base of the tambour. It was a very close match but Daisy
crept away at 3 – 3 with some superb serves that had a spiteful kick, to win 6 – 3. However, as there had been
a withdrawal from the next group, Alice coming 2nd in Group 1, was able to go through as runner – up.
Unfortunately, overnight Alice picked up a bug and had to withdraw leaving the group with only 3 players. In
the first match Daisy played Isabella Wylie (Queens Club). Daisy continued to serve brilliantly and though
Isabella began to work out how to cope with the serve many of these returns went down the middle of the
court for Daisy to finish off the point at the base of the tambour, ultimately taking the match 8 – 4. Daisy then
stayed on court to play Rose Kay (The Hyde). There was a huge handicap difference with Rose giving 16 points.
Rose played extremely well, steadily placing the ball into the corners, so many times she clawed her way back
to 40 all but was denied winning the game. Rose had the better ground strokes but Daisy had the better serve
which resulted in an 8 – 2 win. Rose then played Isabella where there was only 11 points difference. Rose
continued to hit the ball beautifully into the corners, gaining the serve. Unfortunately, she couldn’t get a good
length on her own serve and Isabella hit some very attacking shots forcing Rose to make unforced errors. So,
Daisy went through as group winner.
We then had a call from Martha who had become stuck on the M25 so Isabella took the opportunity to step
into her place and have some more tennis. Lydia Compton – Burnett and Georgia Toosey both from Wellington
were in this group and would have to give 16 – 20 points away to Daisy and Bella, two players who also had the
advantage of already playing on the court! Lydia played Isabella first and couldn’t get into a rhythm going 5 –
2 down, she settled down hitting well into the corners and crept back to 4 – 5 only to make an unforced error
and for Isabella hit a nick serve taking the set 6 – 4. Georgia took on Daisy and was giving her 20 points! Georgia
played well, hitting some cracking volleys but Daisy’s accurate serves just gave her the edge, winning 6 – 3.
Lydia v Georgia was a stunning match. Georgia was giving Lydia 3 points handicap. Both players are wonderfully
quick around the court and retrieved the ball beautifully. Georgia made a few unforced errors, Lydia kept her
cool throughout so winning 6 – 0, nowhere near a true reflection of the game. Daisy again beat Isabella and
served well in addition to receiving 16 points when playing Lydia. Georgia played consistently against Isabella
and climbed back to 40 all in many games but lose that final point, eventually losing 6 – 2.
So, our finalists were Daisy v Isabella. Isabella would be giving Daisy 15 every game. Isabella’s steadiness took
her to a 4 – 2 lead but Daisy crept back to 4 – 4 with some great retrieving. Isabella went into the zone making
no mistakes. Daisy lost some of the edge to her up until then lethal serve and Isabella coming out on top
winning 8 – 4. Both players had improved their play enormously since the start of the day and were worthy
finalists.
Our thanks to The Dedanists’ Foundation for their sponsorship, Radley College and Alex and Archie for marking
throughout the weekend.
The finalists, Daisy on left and Bella on right. Group photo (left to right) with Georgia, Daisy, Lydia and Bella.
