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September (updated 04.9.26)
I hope that you have all recovered from this year’s boiling summer and that you managed to get some tennis in before heat exhaustion got to you. We would especially like to see new members and those who usually just play with friends and family joining the club sessions on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. The Village Fete Committee has asked our members to help monitor the entry points on 12th September. Thanks to those who have volunteered already – please join them.
We hope to return to competitive tennis in Winter 2026 with our new Team Captain Adrian Sainsbury. Please let him know if you are interested in representing the club. Matches typically take place at weekends and result in a friendly and enjoyable encounter with neighbouring clubs. No match fees are charged.
As I write, the US Open is coming to the end of its first week, but Jannik Sinner was not there to defend his title, owing to injury. However, Carlos Alcaraz is now back and playing well. Alex Zverev broke his Grand Slam duck by winning at Roland Garros, but he is struggling at the US, being taken to 5 sets by much lower ranked players in both his matches so far. Title-holder Aryna Sabalenka has been in indifferent form this year and is likely to lose her no. 1 ranking to Elena Rybakina after the US Open.
The Brits did well in the US Open qualifying but none of our players got past the second round. Jack Draper is still struggling with injury and gave the tournament a miss. Surprise package Arthur Fery made it to the Wimbledon semis and is now the UK no. 1 Our top women players, Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal are both out with long-term injuries and Katie Boulter has been very erratic, only managing to take one game in a US Open thrashing by Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova.
We are particularly interested in recruiting female members to the Club Committee.
Upcoming events in our area include:-
The Ashdown Forest Artists Open Studios from 4th to 6th September. The Edenbridge Motor Show on 6th September. The Hever Castle Craft and Design Fair from 10th to 13th September. The Hartfield Village Fete (which includes The Hartfield and District Horticultural Society’s 163rd! Annual show) on 12th September, where I shall be masquerading as Eeyore the donkey and some of our members will be helping to man the gates. The East Grinstead Classic Motor Show on 13th September. The Bluebell Railway Beer Festival from 18th to 20th September. The Cream Tea Puzzle Parlour (for hungry jigsaw puzzlers) at Hartfield Village Hall. Art For All on 17th October, at St. Mary the Virgin Church in Hartfield. The East Grinstead Community Bonfire Parade and Fireworks on 17th October.
If you have any news, or would like to comment on any of the above, I would be delighted to hear from you at madden47@hotmail.com.
Thanks,
Bernie M.
Hartfield Tennis Club 