International tennis came to the Cardiff suburbs when Rhiwbina Tennis Club hosted an ITF (International Tennis Federation) world seniors tour event.
The Yonex YCsports Welsh Seniors Open involved more than 60 players from Wales, England, Scotland, Hong Kong and New Zealand, in age groups 35, 45, 55, and 65, singles, doubles and mixed.
There were some very competitive matches, including the ladies 35+ singles, between Ellie Lewis and Ellen Jones, which turned into a three-set epic.
Winners from Wales were:
Singles:
Men 35 – Chris Gosling-Evans
Ladies 35 – Ellen Jones (Cardiff Met)
Women 45 – Robyn Dow (Cardiff)
Men 55 – Chris Hill (Abertillery)
Women 55 – Freda Emery (Dinas Powys)
Doubles:
Men 35 – Tom James (Rhiwbina TC) & Andrew Lumb (Radyr)
Ladies 35 – Carys Howard Rees (Abergavenny) & Ellen Jones (Cardiff Met)
Men 45 – Adriano Arpino (Llantrisant TC) & Craig Arbuckle (New Zealand)
Ladies 55 – Julie Collins & Freda Emery (Dinas Powys)
Mixed 35 – Richard Jones & Janine David (Bridgend)
Mixed 55 – Paul Williams (Rhiwbina) & Freda Emery (Dinas Powys).
Peter Drew, chief executive of Tennis Wales, which supported the event, said: “The ITF seniors tour provides a high level of competition which enables players to enjoy tennis for life.
“Rhiwbina Tennis Club did an excellent job in hosting the tournament, and we were pleased to give our support. It’s great news that it will be back next year.
“I hope it will inspire people of all ages to try tennis, whether for fun or competition – it really is a sport that can be played by everyone, especially with our new formats and venues.”
The tournament will be held again at the same time in 2017.
Information on all aspects of tennis in Wales is available from Tennis Wales at 029 20 463335 or www.lta.org.uk/in-your-area/Wales/ and for regular updates follow Tennis Wales on Twitter @tenniswales
