Check back soon for all the latest local and international tennis news.
September (updated 21.9.26)
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 were grateful for those of our members who helped monitor the entry points on 12th September. Thanks to those who volunteered.
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 encounters with neighbouring clubs. No match fees are charged.
The US Open ended a few days ago, with Alexander Zverev adding to the Grand Slam title he won at Roland Garos. Whether he can overcome the Sinner/Alcaraz duopoly once they are both fully match fit remains to be seen. Elina Rybakina took the women’s title, defeating the ill-tempered and erratic reigning champion, Aryna Sabalenka and adding insult to injury by replacing her as World no. 1 as well. For the first time in several years, Aryna now holds no Grand Slam titles. None of our singles players made much of an impact, but Neil Skupski took the men’s doubles crown, with his American partner Christian Harrison.
Jack Draper is still struggling with injury and gave the US Open a miss; he is now out until 2027. Jacob Fearnley is also currently injured, but Toby Samuel, now ranked world 95, stepped up to help Great Britain defeat Ecuador to secure a place in next month’s Davis Cup Finals. Surprise package Arthur Fery made it to the Wimbledon semis and is now the GB no. 1 Emma Raducanu is still out with a 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. However, Sonay Kartal is now back and is in tomorrow’s GB team to take on the Czechs in the Billie-Jean King Cup. The team will need to be on exceptional form to defeat the 11-times champions, who will be fielding both this year’s Wimbledon Finalists, champion Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova.
We are particularly interested in recruiting female members to the Club Committee.
Upcoming events in our area include:-
Airhop Adventure and Trampoline Park is now open at the High Brooms Industrial estate in Tunbridge Wells. Argos Hill Windmill has a free open day on 27th September. Also on the 27th is Ashdown Travel’s Cruise and Tour Show at the Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells. Harvest Festival services are at St. Mary’s and Holy Trinity, Coleman’s Hatch on 4th October. The Cream Tea Puzzle Parlour (for hungry jigsaw puzzlers) is at Hartfield Village Hall on 11th October. Art For All is on 17th October, at St. Mary the Virgin Church in Hartfield: it’s free. The East Grinstead Community Bonfire Parade and Fireworks are 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.
