september 2025 NEWSLETTER

INSANE win for Sophie at the Play Your Way To Wimbledon National Finals!: I still don't know quite how she pulled this off, but incredible progress with the mental/emotional side, and her ever-increasing ability to stay totally calm and relaxed under pressure was probably the biggest factor.

She won all 7 matches at the national finals to become national U14 Girls champion at this years event, which started with literally thousands of players from around the UK, and ended with 48 qualifying for the finals event at Wimbledon. She won every tie-break she played, including saving multiple match points in a tense 1/4 final battle!

You can read the full story here, which includes a link to a news piece by Yahoo Sports on Sophie's incredible achievement. Well done Sophie!!

Re-building the junior coaching team after Paul's departure!: Paul resigned over the summer, after 5 successful years at Hawker. All at the club thank him for his hard work and dedication to our junior program, and wish him the very best for the next stage of his career in Australia.

We are both delighted and very fortunate to welcome Ollie Kirk to the club, a vastly experienced coach who has won awards within the county for his excellent work!

Ollie is running group classes from beginner to squad level from Mon-Weds, and will also run holiday camps at Easter and Summer, and may also offer half-term camps. He's also available for individuals during the day on weekdays.

I've already received some great feedback on Ollie, including "He’s truly a gem! My son loves his sessions with him and really responds well to the way he teaches." and "We had our first session with Ollie and he is truly brilliant!!"

As for our weekend group classes, we are currently trialling a couple of less experienced but incredibly passionate coaches for the role. I'm very pleased to welcome Nico and Begum to the club over the coming weekends, and it's also great to have Josh involved, who's also helping out with some of the classes.

Exciting times for Hawker juniors!: As we start a new academic year, we have more high level players and high commitment players training at the club than ever before, and I'm SO ready to help them all learn, develop and progress. Included amongst our new players is Connell, who played at No.2 for the U9 Surrey County team earlier this year, helping Surrey finish 2nd in the Southern Finals. Along with our many excellent squad players who have been with us for many years, this all adds to the fantastic vibe at the club, and provides great inspiration for every child on the program.

It was a busy and successful summer, with a total of 16 official tournament wins for Hawker players during July and August!

Sophie's amazing win at Wimbledon is the pick of them all, and she's continued where she left off by winning an U18 G4 last weekend, once again keeping her cool in multiple tie-breaks! Sienna picked up another U18 G3 singles win, taking out the top seed in a tie-break in the final!

Oscar, who got an award for most improved player of the year at our Summer Tournament in June, has kept pushing on, winning 3 U10 G5 tournaments over the summer, making final of a G4, and getting some valuable experience at G3 level. Julian won an U11 G5, and an U10 G4, whilst U9 players Daniel and Jayden both won their first U10 tournaments. Aryan picked up an U12 tournament win, and Eugene won his first ever tournament, an U14 G5, and doing it in style by beating the No.3, No.2, and No.1 seeded players in successive matches! That's pretty insane! Finally, Connell won an U10 G3 just yesterday! He won the final 11-9 in the champs tie-break!

We have 8 teams entered into the Surrey Team Trophy this winter season, and you can follow all the latest results, and read the latest reports on my Hawker Jets page! 

Hawker Tennis on Instagram! - For latest news too!

What does current World No.62 and British No.3 Jacob Fearnley, have in common with 11 other current/former pro's and non pro's who's names you'll never have heard of?:

Here are the names of those 11 other tennis players: Destinee Martins, Indianna Spink, Lauryn John-Baptiste, Jasmine Amber-Asghar, Brigit Folland, Georgia Craven, Adam Bolchover, Barnaby Smith, Daniel Little, Robert Mitchell, and Alexander Gasson.

Go on, have a guess before you read the answer! The answer is: At the exact same point in time, they were all ranked No.1 in the UK in their junior age group category! That point in time was October 2011, for which I just happen to have the full ranking data for every junior player in the UK. It was sent to me by mistake! Glad I held onto it though!

I’ll come back to those other 11 and tell you where their tennis went since 2011, but we don’t have to go too far down the rankings to find some recognisable names. Jacob Fearnley was No.1 ranked in the U10 Boys, and at No.2 was Jack Draper! And whilst Indianna Spink was the No.1 ranked U9 girl at that time, at No.2 was Emma Raducanu!

From 12 age categories (U18, U16, U14, U12, U10, U9 boys and girls), which basically covers players with a current age in 2025 of between 23 and 32, when you scroll down the Top 10, it’s amazing how many players I’ve never heard of. Of 120 players, I only recognise a further 7 (Finn Bass, Jodie Burrage, Harry Wendelken, Katie Swan, Sonay Kartal, Anton Matusevich, and Jay Clarke. 

Whilst most current British pro’s names can be found in the top 40 of their age groups, there are a few outliers, and most of those can definitely be explained by not playing very many tournaments at the time. Katie Boulter doesn’t even feature due to inactivity, but still playing at national level when she did play.

Billy Harris is worth a mention, who aged 16y10m, was ranked 724 in the UK for U18 Boys. He spent the next 6 years making little impression on the British Tour, semi-final was his best result. From 2015, he also started playing endless Futures tournaments (including 34 in 2017 alone), travelling around Europe in a transit van with a bed in the back, but again made little impression, and by Covid, he hadn’t gone further than semi-final in a Futures either. In 2019, whilst recovering from injury, he was playing Grade 3 doubles tournaments! He only won 3 out of 4 of them. In 2021, at the age of 26 he won his first Futures tournament, and broke into the Top 500 for the first time. In 2024, he reached a career high of 101 and played at all 4 Grand Slams. Currently aged 30, and ranked 131, he continues his remarkable journey of commitment and dedication to tennis, supported by his coach and No.1 fan, his Dad.

Just because you were best in the country in your junior years, doesn’t mean you’ll make it as a senior, and vice versa. However, as a rough guide, players need to be in the draw of Grade 1 events at U14’s to have the necessary ability platform to have a crack at playing on the ATP or WTA tours one day.

Let’s take a look at what happened to all those No.1 ranked players as juniors:

Jacob Fearrnley (2011 No.1 ranked U10 boy in the UK): Broke onto the ATP Tour at the start of this year, and is firmly in the Top 100.

Destinee Martins (2011 No.1 ranked U10 girl in the UK): Played 31 matches on the ITF Pro tour between 2018 and 2023, but never gained a world ranking.

Adam Bolchover (2011 No.1 ranked U9 boy in the UK): Stayed at national level for a few years, then carried on playing junior tournaments (mostly G3’s) until around age 17, hasn’t played an official tournament/league match since 2021, and never played a pro tour match.

Indianna Spink (2011 No.1 ranked U9 girl in the UK): Played a few ITF Pro events in the UK from 2019 to 2024, and this year, aged 22, has played 13 tournaments and is currently 6 places off her career high ranking of 947.

Barnaby Smith (2011 No.1 ranked U12 boy in the UK): Played 100 matches (almost all on the Futures Tour) between 2015-2020, and then came back in 2024 and played 4 matches in 2 tournaments, aged 26. His career high ranking to date is 1381.

Lauryn John-Baptiste (2011 No.1 ranked U12 girl in the UK): Played on the ITF Pro Tour in 2016 and 2017, then came back in 2021 and has been playing regularly ever since. She’s currently 26 years old, ranked 1157, but has a career high of 785.

Daniel Little (2011 No.1 ranked U14 boy in the UK): Only started playing regular Futures Tour events from 2019, at the age of 22, and peaked around 2022/23 with a career high ranking of 564. He’s currently unranked, but at age 28, did play 3 Future’s this year in 2025 (losing 1st round every time).

Jasmine Amber-Asghar (2011 No.1 ranked U14 girl in the UK): Became U18 Girls National Champion in 2014. Played ITF Pro Tour events between 2012 and 2019, mostly in the UK, reaching a career high ranking of 1042. Re-emerged in 2025, playing in the Surrey Women’s doubles league for New Malden Tennis Club!

Robert Mitchell (2011 No.1 ranked U16 boy in the UK): Only ever played 2 matches on the Futures Tour and never had a world ranking. Having been inactive for 12 years, he came back last winter and won the Surrey Mens Doubles knock-out tournament!

Brigit Folland (2011 No.1 ranked U16 girl in the UK): Played 28 matches on the ITF Pro Tour between 2010 and 2015, but never achieved a world ranking. Has been inactive since 2015.

Alexander Gasson (2011 No.1 ranked U18 boy in the UK): Played most of his 41 Futures Tour matches in 2012 and 2013, but never achieved a world ranking. Has been inactive since 2015, except a couple of 1st round qualifying losses in Futures tournaments in 2017 and 2018 respectively, both in Florida.

Georgia Craven (2011 No.1 ranked U18 girl in the UK): Played 52 matches on the Futures Pro Tour between 2010 and 2014, but never achieved a world ranking. Since 2019, she’s only played in her club’s annual tournament at Cumberland, which she plays every year, but has only ever picked up one women’s doubles title.

It was fun and interesting doing the research for this piece, and it begs the obvious question that if being ranked UK No.1 at some point in juniors is such a poor predictor of a future successful pro career, then what is a good one?

We know there is only one stand-out ingredient, which is an obsessive inner-drive to succeed in the sport, basically an addiction to tennis, coupled with a strong desire to keep improving. This can be difficult to measure in junior players, and can grow stronger or weaker over time. Without them, and given the brutal nature and very high level of lower level pro tennis, surely it’s not possible to get there. These players on the tour are all animals, obsessed with tennis, and with competing and improving, even those down in the 200’s and 300’s.

Because they’re animals, they don’t give up easily. If they’ve been successful, many still have the hunger and drive to keep playing into their late 30’s and beyond. Benoit Paire reached a career high ranking of 18, but in 2025 at age 36, he’s played 15 lower level tournaments despite having a ranking of 680. Stan Wawrinka has been ranked No.3 and has won the US Open and French Open, but is still playing at age 40, happy to play lower level tournaments in far flung locations to try and keep his ranking going, currently 129. Venus Williams came back on the tour at age 45 this summer, competing well in singles, and making ¼ finals of the US Open doubles. Then there’s Kimiko Date who retired in 1996, but decided to come back in 2008 aged 37, starting right at the bottom and working her way back up the rankings, and then spending 4 years playing all the biggest tournaments whilst aged 40-44!

If they haven’t been successful, they are still just as insatiable to keep going. Just look at Billy Harris, and also my friend Marcus Willis, who reached a career high in singles of 322, but now at 34 has re-invented himself as a doubles player (of which he has a lot of skill for), and has cracked the Top 100 for the first time this year, and played the US Open for the first time a couple of weeks ago, reaching the 3rd round, and just loving life!

One of my favourite past players is Victor Estrella Burgos, only 5 ft 6 inches tall, from the Dominican Republic. He played the Futures Tour for 5 years, and then 4 years a mixture of Futures and Challengers, and then 3 years a mixture of challengers and ATP qualifiers, and then suddenly, at the age of 34, he got into an ATP event in Ecuador, and won it, giving him a Top 100 ranking for the first time. He won the same event the next 2 years, played all the Grand Slams and peaked at a ranking of 43, before finally calling it quits at age 39 at a Challenger in his home country.

I could write an entire book of examples of players who keep going, no matter what they’ve already achieved, happy to keep living out of a suitcase to get their next fix of competitive tennis. Also, for those who are still trying to make it, finding the cash to keep funding their addiction to tennis, turning up at tournaments not knowing if they will get in, and putting themselves through the mental and physical toll that high level tennis inflicts on the mind and body.

As well as being addicted to tennis and improving, we also know that quality coaching, a genuine love for the game, appropriate support and guidance, and some financial backing, are powerful secondary drivers of success too.

If you’re not hopelessly and totally addicted to tennis, that is very much OK! You won’t be playing at pro level, but tennis is a beautiful sport, and any junior player who goes on a tennis journey at any level can potentially have the time of their lives and learn so much about the sport and about life!

How to be lucky!: The BEST definition of what luck actually is, along with how to become luckier! Follow this link!

RIP John Yandell: John was a visual tennis pioneer and a coaching genius. He created an online community that has had an enormous influence on the coach I am today. Finding Tennisplayer.net back in 2010 changed my life.

Despite working with John since 2015, I only met him for the first time in April last year at his home in San Francisco. It was so special to spend that time with him, it was literally like meeting a God for me! Now, I just feel so incredibly blessed to have had that opportunity. 

I can't do justice in words to the coach and man that John Yandell was, but luckily a former Top 100 player who John worked with, has done a great job of this, so do check out what Jeff Salzenstein wrote.

When I saw John last year, his health was fine. He only started feeling unwell a few months before he died of cancer, aged 72, in February this year. We know life is precious, but we still take it for granted. Grab every day people, be nice to others, do your best, and enjoy being here!

Team Hawker Squads: This is where our strongest and most committed junior players can be found. The emphasis as always, is on developing players as individuals, maximising their potential to perform in competition, and using tennis to boost all aspects of their wellbeing. The by product of that continues to be lots of on-court success! Squad sizes are maximum 8 players on 3 courts. There are very limited spaces currently, but do feel free to get in touch. Click the link for more info, and for new enquiries, please contact me directly to arrange a free assessment and chat. 

Player progression pathway from beginner to national level: Check out how the junior coaching team manage the Hawker Tennis junior program, and see clearly how player's can progress through the stages of development.

Skills & Drills with Nick: Skills & Drills are established classes for players who are competent with serving and rallying with yellow balls, and aged 9+. We focus on key developmental skills, and use a vast array of fun drills to put these into practice. There are currently class options on Weds 6.30-7.30pm (younger advanced), Thurs 7-8pm (older advanced), and Friday 4.30-5.30pm (improver all ages). These classes are a great addition for higher standard players to add to their weekly training, and also a suitable session for competent players who can't commit to tennis, but still want to play each week. 

Friday's are full but with no waiting list, Thurs and Weds have the odd space for the right level player. Please contact Nick to enquire about Skills & Drills. 

Matchplay (Sponsored by Richmond/Sheen Sports): Matchplay is a great opportunity for local juniors who wish to compete regularly and without having to travel too far to gain match experience, and it gives the chance to develop their skills in the match environment. It’s open to players from other venues as well as Hawker, and caters for all levels Yellow ball from age 9 upwards. It's possible we will add more Orange and Green opportunities soon, please get in touch to express your interest. Please follow the link for more info.

New courts: Our new courts are still looking and playing fantastically 3 years on, and are available to hire 3 days in advance through our Clubspark page.        

Play PADEL at Hawker!: Our Padel Tennis court has been upgraded and is brand new once again! Bookings include free equipment hire if needed. For booking and more information, please visit: https://padelmates.se/club/playtimepadelclubkingstonlondon

PAST FEATURES OF THE NEWSLETTER THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST: 

Smartphones and kids and adults - A different way to think about the endless debate! (May 2025)

The BEST tennis autobiography currently available! (May 2025)

Chasing your dreams - How to do it the healthy way (January 2025)

The MOST important book right now (September 2024, including radio interview with author from April 2025)

Features from 2022-24: Including: Who should take the credit when a junior player wins a tennis tournament?, The 5 most powerful things that will fuel rapid progress, Why teenagers don't listen to their parents EXPLAINED, The secret of Carlos Alcaraz's success, the BEST book ever, and LOTS MORE!

The 10 key ingredients to help a junior get to national level (September 2023)

The Cobham Experience (MAY 2025): A light-hearted story about how tennis brings people together, written by myself and Mike Derks. Follow the link!

NEW! - Holistic cat care: A good friend of mine based in Argentina is a leading specialist in holistic cat care. If you're interested in having a deeper more meaningful relationship with your cat, you might want to check out her services. Link here!

Richmond/Sheen Sports: You could go to an online retailer, or a budget superstore, and you may save a few pounds, but you won't get better overall value. Here's the best option, pay a visit to RichmondSports or SheenSports!

They are managed by enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable staff, equally passionate about sports as they are about the local community, where they support many local clubs and schools, including ours.

Your individual needs will be met in a way the bigger retailers can't match, in terms of better advice, a more personal service, and a genuine desire to fulfil your sporting needs whatever they may be.

Being part of Hawker Tennis also entitles you to 10% off, so you'll be getting excellent all-round value, whilst helping them to keep helping us and other local clubs.

YouTube channel: 60 videos, and though most date from the original Project 2015, they are still fun and relevant! The videos have received over 450,000 views between them! Videos Index

Tennisplayer.net: I'm an established contributor on this world leading coaching resource site, having written 2 lengthy series of articles, the first in 2016/17 on 1-2 Rhythm, and the latest on Marginal Gains in 2020. There is currently an offer of 30 days free trial to access the whole site!

Racism: Check the link for an ongoing blog which started after the death of George Floyd in May 2020.  

Adult Tennis - Select 'Adult' filter to see all current courses

Feel free to get in touch about anything at all.
 

Warmest wishes
Nick

Remembering Joe Horner (it's all too easy to forget, so this memorial will remain on this page. I hope people continue to find enough time to reflect on the growing issue of mental health, especially in younger people): Joe was a regular face at Matchplay during many of his teenage years. He loved coming down to play, to mix with friends and enjoy the special atmosphere. His highlight was winning the 2009 Summer Tournament Doubles.

Sadly, Joe struggled with severe depression from his early 20's, and his mental health largely deteriorated during this time. He was very open about his problems, and had so much love from family and friends, but tragically in April 2019, he took his own life.

I have very fond memories of Joe, because he really understood what Hawker Tennis was all about, and fully appreicated being part of it even from a young age. He turned into a fine young man, so considerate of others, and always a pleasure to chat to.

After finishing education, Joe worked as a keeper at Chessington Zoo, and then moved on to ZSL at London Zoo. ZSL work worldwide on conservation to help save endangered species, something that was very close to Joe's heart.

For those who knew Joe, perhaps you would like to donate to this cause. through the link below, which is still live in 2025:

Fundraising Page