Reading’s Alex Hand may not have lifted silverware this week on the manicured lawns of Wimbledon – but he still enjoyed an unforgettable experience at SW19.
Hand, 12, who attends Crosfields School and plays tennis at Bradfield Tennis Centre, featured in the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, which is the UK’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered by Vodafone in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club.
Thousands of players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon’s Aorangi Courts last week.
Hand, who described Jannik Sinner as his tennis idol, failed to progress to the latter stages of the tournament – but was still thrilled to attend Wimbledon and revealed it was an experience he will never forget.
He said: “It’s my first time being here so it’s been very surreal really. I’m very excited to be here. I was shocked walking in this morning. I couldn’t imagine this.
“I want to become a pro tennis player. Playing on the courts that the pros did it brings you closer to it.
“I look up to Sinner because he is so consistent and he keeps a calm head. He’s just so composed.”
This year’s tournament delivered over 10,000 playing opportunities with thousands of singles and doubles players taking part at 800 venues, leading to county and area finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on the All England Club’s Aorangi Courts from 3 – 9 August 2025.
The competition aims to broaden playing opportunities and to inspire people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and follow in the footsteps of their tennis heroes by competing for a chance to play on Wimbledon’s iconic courts.
In addition to 14 and under singles, 18 and under doubles and adult doubles draws, the categories include wheelchair (adult and juniors), learning disability and visually impaired competitions. The national finals will also see the return of popular para-standing and deaf tennis exhibition matches held during the week.
World No.1 wheelchair doubles partners and Vodafone ambassadors Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid were in attendance to cheer on the players at SW19 and offer their experience and advice.
“We would have loved to have had something like this when we were younger and playing,” said Hewett.
“Play Your Way to Wimbledon is a massive event for someone to pick up a racket for the first time or start playing again if they haven’t for a while.
“It’s about being active at grassroots level, making friends and new tennis partners and that is the beauty of events like this.”
Reid added: “We want tennis to be available and accessible to everybody and get as many people as possible enjoying the sport.
“This event encapsulates that perfectly and we’re proud to be a part of it.”
Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is the UK’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition. It is delivered by Vodafone, in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club, forming part of the Vodafone’s ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots tennis in the UK and making the sport more accessible for players of all ages and abilities.
