Great news for those of you who were under 25 years old on 1st September 2007: in addition to the usual handicaped competitions this year there will be a level event for everyone concerned. So you'll get to participate in two tournaments for the price of one! The other major change is that most of the matches will be played at your convenience between January and April with the finals being held at Moreton Morrel on Sunday 13th April.

To request an entry form please send an email to: LRTA Under 25s and get your skates on because the closing date for entries is Friday 18th January 2008.

Helen-Frances Pilkington was the triumphant winner of the division one tournament, neatly turning the tables on Viveca Stewart who was the champion of this event last year. In division two Linda Sheraton-Davis beat Hazel Dunn in a close final.

We have full results of the singles and doubles contests as well as a match report, just click on the photo of Helen-Frances or the title above.

And there are photos of all of the finalists, our thanks to Tim Tomalin.

The story of the 25,000km Great Australian Cycle Expedition, is now available. Here's Julian Snow's comments:"My admiration for Kate increased with every page I read of Out There And Back.  It describes in almost understated fashion how she completed her epic journey cycling around Australia - overcoming its extreme physical demands, surviving the isolation of the outback, and dealing with the emotional turmoil of her marriage unravelling en route. Amazingly she also found the time and energy to write this inspiring book; you should all buy a copy."

To learn more about the book and the journey check out the recently updated website at: www.gracexpedition.org.

Charlotte Cornwallis won both the Singles and Doubles. In a spooky mirror image of the recent World Championships she partnered, in the doubles, the player she beat in the singles final. In this case it was the amazing Karen Hird - well done! Karen is one of the young players making a name for themselves, and looks bound for great things.

This is a link directly to the Princes Court site where, as well as the draws, there are plenty of photos for you to enjoy.

It was a thrilling week chock full of superb tennis and Charlotte Cornwallis excelled, dropping only four games in the entire singles championships. Then she and Penny Lumley teamed up to win the doubles, beating Kate Leeming and Sue Haswell in a tight match.

There was a short (edited) interview with Charlotte shown on Granada News last night, it's in .MP4 format so you'll need the latest version of QuickTime to be able to view. Click here to download it.

Charlotte Cornwallis retained her British Open Singles title and with Penny Lumley as her new partner regained the Doubles title. Our congratulations to them and all the other players who once again made it a spectacluar event.

There was oodles of very exciting tennis down at Seacourt over the last week and we'll be uploading the match reports and some photos in the next few days, once we've got our breath back!

We don't mind admitting to listening to Radio 2! If any of you were tuned in at about 6.45pm on Friday 21st April you'd have heard Chris Evans interviewing our very own Charlotte Cornwallis as a prelude to the British Open (starting on Tuesday) and, of course, the World Championships next week in Manchester. Great interview, Charlotte. We'd also like to see Chris in a wetsuit and flippers!

The full interview is available in a 4Mb MP3 file, click here to download it but remember it is a large file.

There's bound to be an exciting weekend of tennis down at Petworth when the experienced ladies of the game take to the court. It's a fantastic venue with a beautifully maintained court and well worth dropping in to see the action, especially if you've not had the privilege before now.

And the winner is........ Jill Newby! Well played Jill. Click the picture to see the full results from this tournament and read the match report.

The main event has returned to the UK - the last time was in 1999 when the RTC Hampton Court were the hosts. Now Manchester Tennis & Racquet Club has taken up the baton and we are all looking forward to an exciting week of events at the beginning of May.

Please click on the poster link to visit the site and bookmark it so that you can keep up to date with the latest news. The Draw has now been published and we'll be giving you details of the social activities as we get them.

We had a great response to the questionnaire we sent out last month, so our grateful thanks to all of you who completed a survey form. We really appreciate the time you spent answering our questions and we will be taking heed of your comments.

If you have still to complete the form please take a minute to do so (on paper or online) - we're keen to hear from as many of you as possible.

The prize draw (for one of our new LRTA fleeces) was won by Viv Dawes. Congratulations! It should keep you nice and warm and cosy now that winter has started in earnest.

This enjoyable annual championship is upon us once again. For those new to the event, it is unusual in that the available top ladies are paired up with gentlemen players so that their combined handicaps are similar. Which makes for a close competition and also gives everyone a chance to see some of the game's men in action.

We strongly encouage you to pop along and join in the excitement. Hatfield House is not difficult to get to, it's near a mainline railway station or there is parking close by. The court was built in 1842 so if you've not been it's well worth a visit. Hope to see some of you there!

Don't forget that it's never too early to start planning your get-fit regime for the new year. This year is special as you need to be ready for the Word Championships which will be held at the Manchester Tennis & Racquet Club from April 30th to May 6th. Click on the holly for further details.

Meantime... Season's Greetings and best wishes for a peaceful and successful New Year......it's going to be an exciting one!

If you're reading this and have managed to sneak away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season for a few minutes then why not use the time constructively and fill in the membership questionnaire? Either up here (on-line) or by the time honoured method of ticking the boxes on the sheet we sent you.

It's important that you have your say and give us the benefits of your thoughts. We're here to serve your needs. And there's the added incentive that one of you will win one of the new season's LRTA fleeces. Perfect for keeping you warm on cold courts!

The LRTA Invitation Singles competition is one where the up and coming players get a chance to compete without the worry of the big guns. It is always a great showcase and a good indicator of the talent we should be keeping an eye on. This year's event was no exception with a blistering final between Karen Hird and Susan Castley which could have gone either way. Though it was Karen's perserverance which kept the pressure on Susan and utlimately won the day. Honourable mention also goes to Claire Vigrass and Aldona Greenwood who provided a thrilling spectacle in their runners-up match.

The LRTA runs a wide range of tournaments to suite all standards, ages and sexes; from handicap competitions for beginners and experienced players through to the British Open and, when it's our turn, the World Championships (the next one is Manchester 2007).

To do this effectively we need sponsorship. Donations from as little as £50 can really help towards the smaller events whilst £5,000 will provide facilities for major tournaments. Our sponsors can be anonymous or well publicised, it's your choice.

If you know of an organisation (or individual) who would like to help the LRTA carry on this invaluable work please contact us to discuss a contribution by emailing to sponsorship@lrta.org.uk. Thank you.

All members should, by now, have received the latest copy of the LRTA Newsletter (dated September 2006). There are plenty of reports on all of the tournaments (the British Open, LRTA International, French Handicap, Ladies Masters etc.) as welll as other match reports and loads of news from the association.

Most importantly there are the initial details concerning next year's Ladies World Championships. It looks like it's going to be a very exciting week! Keep a lookout on this site - we'll bring you the news as we get it.

If you have paid your dues but your copy of the newsletter has not arrived then please contact us.

Yes it's really been twenty five years since Alan Lovell (the then chariman of the T&RA) encouraged Lesley Ronaldson to get some like-minded people together and set up a Ladies Association. Just think how far the ladies' game has come since....

So please join us to raise a glass to the next 25 years on Saturday 17th June at the Holyport Real Tennis Club to celebrate this momentous occaision. Some tickets (@ £12.50) are still available so please click to send us an email: 25th Anniversary BBQ.

Charlotte Cornwallis won the singles title without too much trouble but her opponent, Frederika Adam (pictured left), had previously fought a fantastic semi-final in which she put out Jo Iddles. It was an enjoyable match which goes to warn the established players to keep a careful watch for the new contenders.

The doubles result also showed how well Frederika has improved in recent months since it was with Jo Iddles, on the same side of the net this time, that they beat last year's holders in a tense final.

The LRTA International is always a special occaision. The round robin nature of the competition ensures interesting matches and this year was no exception. The final was enjoyed by an audience of special guests and all were treated to some exciting tennis.

Sue Haswell was determined to make Charlotte work for every point and there were occaisions when the world champion was out-played and even out of breath! However Charlotte didn't falter and, despite some brave rallies from Sue, there was no stopping her victory.

It is with much sadness that we have to report the death of Henry Macintosh on Saturday, 22nd April, aged 77. A Thanksgiving Service will be held at St. Paul's Church, Camberley at 2.30 pm. on Thursday, 25th May, 2006.

To assist arrangements at St. Paul's, please e-mail us if you will be attending and we'll pass the details on to the family.

Sue had an easy time in this enjoyable competiton, never dropping more than one game in any match. Though Jo Sinclair put up a brave fight in the final she never really put her under pressure despite some brave rallies.

The plate doubles competition was as good natured as always with the twist this year of it being a round-robin. So everyone had plenty of time on court to produce some exciting tennis.

Unfortunately the newsletter got some of its dates in a bit of a muddle! Our apologies for that. So just to make sure you all turn up on the correct days:
   Girls Under 25s will be played on 8-9th April at Holyport
   LRTA International at Queens Club is 4-7th May
   LRTA AGM and 25th Anniversary Dinner will be on 13th May at Seacourt
   LRTA Handicap Mixed Doubles is 9-11th June, also at Seacourt
   LRTA Garden Party is 17th June
   World Championships is 30th April-6th May 2007 at the Manchester Tennis & Racquet Club

Yes everyone has been working very hard and the latest newsletter is now available for you to enjoy. There are loads of match reports - LRTA Invitation Singles; British Ladies Handicap; French Open; Billy-Ross Skinner Invitation Mixed Doubles; Mothers & Daughters and more - together with plenty of photos as well as the usual sections, with interesting information on the world of ladies real tennis and various match results.

If you do not receive your copy within the next ten days please let us know.

Subscription Renewals: - don't forget that if you have not yet renewed your annual subscription (due 1st January) you may be removed from the distribution list.

What a fantastic achievement. For the first time in the history of the ladies game a player has improved their handicap to the point where they are below that elusive 10 barrier.

Charlotte played like a demon in the Australian Open wining both Singles and Doubles titles, in itself a noteworthy triumph. Getting her handicap down to 9, though, is truly superb and just goes to show how much ladies real tennis has been improving in recent years.

Save the date!  The 2006 U.S. Ladies Singles and Doubles Championships and the US Mixed Doubles Championship move to the beautiful Tuxedo Club, April 20 - 23.  Local play could commence a day early, depend on size of the draw.

Information on this tournament is now available online together with an entry form. See www.uscourttennis.com for full details. 

The LRTA runs a wide range of tournaments to suite all standards, ages and sexes; from handicap competitions for beginners and experienced players through to the British Open and, when it's our turn, the World Championships (the next one is Manchester 2007).

To do this effectively we need sponsorship. Donations from as little as £50 can really help towards the smaller events whilst £5,000 will provide facilities for major tournaments. Our sponsors can be anonymous or well publicised, it's your choice.

If you know of an organisation (or individual) who would like to help the LRTA carry on this invaluable work please contact us to discuss a contribution by emailing to sponsorship@lrta.org.uk. Thank you.

After a very close final against Karen Hird (the final went to 8-8) it was Gill Houston who came out on top to win the Division I British Ladies Handicap competition. In the second division it was a similarly close battle but Helen-Frances Pilkington stayed focused in order to beat Doris Siedentopf.

The doubles events were equally exciting and saw Karen Hird & Sarah Vigrass win the Div. I competition and Fiona Hewson & Charlotte Pawlyn win the Div. II. Check out the full results together with a report on the finals as well as photos.

So that's both of the French Open titles to add to Charlotte's ever increasing list of tournament wins. The singles final was a superb match with Jo Iddles fighting every bit of the way and forcing Charlotte to battle hard through three sets.

Sue Haswell partnered Charlotte in the doubles (following their success in the World Championships) and this winning combination once again proved unbeatable.

A report on the tournament will be available on this site soon.

Charlotte was an exhausted but extremely happy World Champion on Sunday afternoon, having added the British Open Singles and Doubles titles to her current winning streak. It has been a hard couple of weeks of competition (the World Championships were the week previously) and she is looking forward to a well earned rest.

The assembled crowd was treated to some fantastic tennis on Finals Sunday with Jo Iddles putting up a tough fight in the Singles. A few hours later they were back on opposing sides of the net but this time with their doubles partners Sue Haswell and Jill Newby. Once more the match was an exciting display of high class cut and thrust. Check back in a day or two for the photos and a full report.

Our heartiest congratulation to Charlotte, who not only won the Ladies Worlds Singles Championship title but also, in a winning partnership with Sue Haswell, collected the Doubles Championship title as well!

The full results are available if you click on the title above (or on Charlotte's photo). Please visit the Paris Ladies site (see link in Short Cuts) to read the full match diary as contributed by the players.

We're all off up to Moreton Morell to participate in the British Open, keep an eye on this site for results from that and for further photos from the both events.

Jill Newby hardly put a foot wrong during the final of the British Ladies Masters. She beat Caroline Gilmore in a match that was a lot closer than the 6/1 6/2 score line implies. The crowd was treated to some great tennis as these two, more often seen on the same side of the net, did battle.

The full results draw and a match report are available now, photos will follow shortly. Just click on the photo of Jill to jump to the Ladies Masters page.

In 1905 an American, Charles Tuller Garland, built a real tennis club at Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire. In June, to celebrate this, the club will be hosting a wealth of tennis and social events. Amongst them will be the VETCELL World Singles and Doubles competition which boasts the six top male players in the world.

Please visit their site to read more about the many events and to reserve seats.

32 players, forming a wide representation of British real tennis clubs, joined forces for this enjoyable annual event. The first section was a round robin and the weekend culminated in a knock-out competition on the Sunday. Our congratulations to the new holders Elli Harris and Mark McMurragh. The results sheet and photos are now online here and there'll be a full report available shortly.

An excellent weekend of tennis produced some really exciting matches. Congratulations go to Sarah Vigrass, who won the Div I Singles; Stephanie Slack, winner of the Div II Singles; Caroline Gilmore & Jill Newby, winners of the Div I Doubles; and Sarah Whittaker & Margaret Wareing who won the Div II Doubles. Full details of the round-robin and knockout tournament results can be found here and there's also a page of photos featuring (most of) the competitors.

Kate has found herself something a little more strenuous than being a real tennis pro: she's now a main cog of GRACE - the Great Australia Cycling Expedition - and is intent on pedaling 27,000 kilometres around Australia and through its interior. This is all part of the United Nations' Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

Keep an eye on the GRACE website to see how she's progressing.....she's just arrived in Hall's Creek after completing the 1850Km Canning Stock Route in just four weeks. The web site has a diary and photos of this momentous event. We understand that sponsors are still needed so please visit the site and sign up. Good on yer mate!

Fontainebleau's historic palace was the setting for this year's French Open, or should we say Open International Feminin de France. Charlotte Cornwallis was on cracking form and lost only five games throughout the singles championship. She had little trouble, even in the final against Jo Iddles, and looks to be set for a great season.

In the doubles competition Charlotte teamed up with Ellie Harris and, despite a brave attempt by Adams and Castley, they were victorious. Click onto the title or picture of the chateau to see full results and photos.

Congratulations (albeit a bit belated, sorry. Ed) to our World Champion who was awarded the MBE in recognition of her services to Real Tennis. She has been an amazing champion and ambassador for our sport for so many years and richly deserves this national recognition. Penny is a glowing example of what can be achieved through personal commitment, dedication and sheer hard work.

Well done Charlotte! After last week's nail-biting final to the LRTA International (where Penny came out on top) Charlotte had her revenge to win 6/5 6/3 and take the US Singles Championship from Penny, last year's winner.

Partnering Alex Garside in the doubles also proved successful for Charlotte where she again beat Penny, this time with Evelyn David, 6/0 6/1 to take the doubles championship.

Wow! What a Final

Sunday May 2nd: The packed dedans at the LRTA International was spellbound by the battle between Penny Lumley and Charlotte Cornwallis. An intense three set drama that went all the way to 5-5 in the third but saw Penny taking the title.

You should have been there! But if you weren't then photos and a report will be available shortly.

British Open Singles Championship

Penny Lumley wins the 2004 title! With four Australians, one American and umpteen Brits the Championship, which took place over the weekend of 24/25th April at Seacourt, was an international affair. Click on the link above to see the full results of the competition.

A new addition to the range is the specially created cream tank top sporting our 21st Anniversary logo. So when that entry form specifies "all clothing on court must be predominantly white" and last year's togs are looking decidedly threadbare you know where to buy your replacements!

Check out the photos on the clothing page.