The Davis Cup by BNP Paribas will arrive in the Wokingham Borough in July as part of a national Trophy Tour of Great Britain launched by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in April this year.
Following Great Britain’s historic win against Belgium in the 2015 Davis Cup Final, when Team GB hoisted the trophy for the first time in 79 years, the LTA wanted to celebrate this momentous occasion by delivering the Davis Cup Trophy Tour across the country to thank the tennis community including players, coaches, venues and volunteers who supported the team on its incredible journey. It also wanted to inspire a new generation to pick up a racket and get involved in tennis.
Wokingham Borough Council is hosting another Great British Tennis Weekend at Cantley Park in Wokingham on Saturday 16 July between 10am and 4pm and Sunday 17 July between 10am and 2pm. It’s free for all to attend and gives people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and be pictured with the impressive Davis Cup Trophy up close and personal on the Saturday only.
Throughout the whole weekend, there will be free tennis coaching sessions, family time and free play taking place. To find out more information and to book your place for the July weekend, visit the Lawn Tennis Association's website.
The Great British Tennis Weekend
Tennis is proving really popular in the Wokingham Borough. In May, the borough council hosted The Great British Tennis weekend at Cantley Park with more than 400 people, of all ages and abilities, taking part. Sessions ranged from mini-tennis, cardio tennis and family fun.
The Davis Cup Trophy Tour will visit more than 100 destinations, including the July stop at Cantley Park. Visit the Davis Cup Trophy Tour webpage for a full list of destinations.
Leon Smith, Davis Cup Captain, said; “Winning the Davis Cup was an incredible moment for me and all the team. Lifting the trophy on the court in Gent was an amazing feeling and I’m eager to ensure a lasting legacy following this historic achievement. Taking the trophy across the country and being able to share this momentous achievement with the nation is an important part of this legacy. I can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction when they see the Davis Cup and sharing a bit of that passion we had on court will hopefully encourage others to get involved and choose tennis as part of their everyday lives”.
Michael Downey, LTA Chief Executive, adds; “The Davis Cup win is one many will remember for the rest of their lives and is a key vehicle that can drive interest in our sport. The LTA is proud to be able to share this incredible achievement with the British people and those who loyally supported and backed the team. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to inspire and captivate a nation and we want to use this Trophy Tour to bring more children and adults into our great sport and thank the tennis community for believing we could do it.”
Thrilled to be chosen
Cllr Angus Ross, executive member for environment at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen to be a part of this very special Davis Cup Trophy Tour. To allow the local community to share the successes of the GB team has already driven an increased passion and enthusiasm for tennis in the area. On, behalf of everyone at Wokingham Borough Council, I’d like to thank LTA for allowing us to be a part of this momentous achievement.
“I am sure the event will be a huge success and will follow in the footsteps of The Great British Tennis weekend held in May at Cantley Park. It was such a fun event, and it was great to see so many smiles and happy faces as people played tennis, many for the first time which was encouraging to see. We received much positive feedback from all those taking part and many enquired what they could do next to continue playing. We have a number of courts for hire and more to come at Cantley. Also there are a number of private tennis clubs though out the borough.”
