2013 A VERY MERRY YEAR FOR GB WHEELCHAIR TENNIS PLAYER ESPERANZA

GB Wheelchair tennis star Esperanza Merry is celebrating an astonishing year having competed at her final tournament of 2013.

Merry, who trains at the FC** Tennis Academy at Dukes Meadows, Chiswick, completed an astonishing year of tennis at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Sion Indoor tournament in Switzerland, reaching the quarter finals of the singles draw and the final of the doubles draw, unfortunately losing an incredibly tight final which ran until 10.00pm.

Despite not being able to clinch the winning position in Sion, 2013 has been an outstanding year for the young wheel chair tennis sensation, who only took up wheelchair tennis 10 months ago.

Previously a promising able-bodied tennis player, Merry was diagnosed as having a rare Staphylococcal Aureus infection in her right hip, complicated by Septicemia. In November 2012 she underwent three operations but the damage to her right hip from Chondrolysis meant she would be not be able to play unassisted.

Merry was determined to continue playing tennis though and after advice from Lucy Shuker, the British No.1 wheelchair tennis player and Bronze medalist at the London 2012 Paralympics, she welcomed a new path to tennis stardom.

Soon after taking up her new sport, Merry joined the Tennis Foundation Wheelchair Tennis Performance Programme, with the aim of developing her skills and helping her work towards her dream of qualifying for the 2016 and 2020 Paralympics.

Her rapid development would suggest that she is on course to compete at the Paralympic Games. In May Merry was selected for the GB Junior Team, who went on to win gold at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup. June saw Merry claim both the Aegon LTA Junior Player of the Month, beating a number of leading under-18 able bodied tennis players for the award, and the UK SportsAid Athlete of the Month, a particularly noteworthy achievement considering the 2,000 other athletes in 75 different sports aged 12-24 who compete for the award each month. Merry was also the youngest ever recipient of the award.

In July and August Merry competed in the British Open, again setting the record for the youngest competitor ever, won two European singles and doubles tournaments and was runner-up in a third tournament, becoming the youngest ever winner of an ITF women’s or men’s tournament.

Her season concluded with two runners-up places and a further two tournament wins, meaning Merry is now ranked as the No. 8 World Junior, No. 89 World Women’s Singles and No. 68 World Women’s Doubles.

Looking back at her year Merry said,

“I’m so happy with everything that I have achieved this year and becoming part of the GB Junior squad. I know that next year I can achieve even more. I’ve been working so hard with my coaches and thanks to the support from the team at Dukes Meadows I feel I’ve progressed so much with my game.”

Merry’s success is no surprise to those who have seen her development over the last 12 months within the FC** Tennis Academy at Dukes Meadows. The High Performance Centre in Chiswick in west London offers outstanding indoor and outdoor tennis facilities and coaching to the next generation aiming for Grand Slam tennis success. The FC** Tennis Academy is responsible for developing some of Britain’s best tennis players and Director of Dukes Meadows’ FC Tennis** Academy, James Lenton, has previously coached Elena Baltacha, Laura Robson, Ann Keothavong and James Ward, in addition to Merry.

Speaking on Merry’s recent success, Lenton said:                  

“With everything Esperanza has been through to be getting the success she has been is truly inspirational for all the kids at the FC** Tennis Academy. The way in which she has dealt with everything in such a positive manner is brilliant. Role models such as Lucy Shuker have taught young children to look past their disability and continue to play sport.’’

Merry’s remarkable year is due to end on a high having been invited to speak in front of 1,000 guests at the Lord’s Taverners Christmas Lunch at the Grosvenor Hotel as well being awarded the Jaguar Academy of Sport Special Recognition Award. 

-ENDS- 

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