Holyport Real Tennis star Carney serves up double world title in New York

Holyport Real Tennis Club is celebrating the success of one of its rising stars after Katherine Carney was crowned Girls’ u19s world champion in America.

Katherine has trained at Holyport RTC for several years and recently won both the singles and doubles titles at the Junior World Championships, held at the historic Tuxedo Club in New York, USA.

Reflecting on her triumph, Katherine said: “Last week I had the incredible opportunity to play in the U19 Junior Girls Real Tennis World Championships at the Tuxedo Club.

“Holyport’s support and generosity for the past few months ensured I was as prepared as I could be, which allowed me to play with confidence and come away with wins in both the singles and the doubles competitions.

“I am excited to continue the hard work into the upcoming season, keep enjoying real tennis and its community, and to keep flying the Holyport flag!”

Her victory shines a spotlight on Real Tennis - the original form of the modern game.

It’s played indoors on historic courts such as the one at Holyport, which dates back to 1889 and has often been described as ‘the sport of kings.’

Real Tennis is enjoying something of a resurgence in popularity thanks to active junior programmes and school partnerships.

Holyport RTC has managed to build a strong connection with Holyport College, introducing dozens of young people to a unique and challenging sport.

The club now boasts one of the most dynamic junior memberships in the country, with more than 50 young players regularly taking part in training, matches and tournaments.

Holyport members are understandably proud of Katherine’s world title, which adds to a string of successes for the club’s talented junior players on the national and international stage.

Club Chairman Renaud Besnard said: “Katherine’s achievement is fantastic for her personally and for Holyport. She’s a brilliant role model for our growing junior section and an example of what young players can achieve with dedication and support from the community.”

With nearly 200 members, Holyport RTC is one of the most vibrant real tennis clubs in the country, however, they are always keen to welcome newcomers of all ages, whether they have a background in tennis, squash, or simply want to try something new.

The club runs introductory sessions and welcomes visitors throughout the year.

To find out more, email pros@hrtc.co.uk, visit www.hrtc.co.uk, or call 01628 673 964.