British Tennis - Lawn Tennis Association

Gaby Hay blogs from Finals day at the 14U AEGON Junior Nationals event at the West Hants Club in Bournemouth...

If you ask any aspiring young British tennis player what their ultimate junior dream is, more often than not; they will say ‘to win the National Championships.’ I know when I was young, and the likes of Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong were winning this prestigious event, it seemed like this was ‘the event’ to be winning if you were going to make it as a professional tennis player in GB.

Perhaps that is why Judy Murray made an appearance at the West Hants Club on Friday 12th August to watch fellow Scot Anna Brogan, who was competing in the 14U AEGON Junior National Final. World No. 4 Andy Murray also won this highly acclaimed title in his junior days, so Judy gets how important these events are to the players.

It was a nice touch from Judy who was up in Scotland the day before to take part in Louis Cayer's, British tennis doubles coach, wedding ceremony. Judy is very involved in Scottish juniors and their development and was intently taking notes and watching Anna throughout the whole match.

Judy talking to Anna after the match

Seventh seed Glasgow-born Brogan, who seems to pride herself on being an aggressive baseliner with a killer forehand, was in her element competing on the big stage. Fist pumps were coming from every corner of the court, and her confidence was clearly evident, probably due to the fact she was playing on the back of winning her first Tennis Europe Grade 1 event last week in Hasselt, Belguim.

Anna Brogan

Anna was stepping up the court well and, after a closely fought first set against underdog Warwickshire’s Emily Smith, Brogan became ruthless in her onslaught to take the match 6-4, 6-2. All credit to her unseeded opponent Smith, who has never made the final of a Grade 1 domestic tournament. Emily was a great competitor and her professional attitude on court was something to be commended for the duration.

Emily Smith

Both players were gracious at the end of the match, and the Scottish contingent was cheering in full force during the prize ceremony. The boys' 14U final was another decently fought contest which involved Sussex’s top seed Daniel Little and third seed George Hedley from Berkshire. Little proved too strong for Hedley in the end taking the match 6-3, 6-1.

Daniel Little, Boys' 14U champion and British tennis coach Richard Plews

While the 14U Finals were being contested, the 12U Qualifying singles draw was taking place with some of the best youngsters in the country fighting their hearts out to get to the highly acclaimed main draw. Shanti Patel, tournament director, ensures all of the players are extremely well looked after and it was evident in her prize-giving speech that the event means an awful lot to her and the whole tournament operations team.  

Shanti Patel - Tournament Director

It’s amazing to see how far the game has come over the last few years in terms of professionalism, preparation, and technique. These young competitors all commit so much to the cause of winning a tennis match and it is a joy to watch. This week sees the 12U and 16U events continue so if you get the chance to take a trip to West Hants Club in Bournemouth, you definitely should, just to witness the efforts of these fantastic junior players.

Read the latest news from the AEGON Junior Nationals.