Paul Pritchard retires after decades of Service to Welsh Tennis Competitions
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Paul Pritchard has delivered his final competition run this week at Allt Yr Yn Tennis Club marking an end to three decades of dedication to tennis in Wales.
Paul’s contribution to the game across Wales has been massive, having worked in a competition's role directly for Tennis Wales before launching his own initiative under the ‘Black Dog Tennis’ brand name, helping shape the tennis journey of thousands of players, parents, and coaches.
Throughout his career, Paul has delivered a huge range of competitions with care and passion from 8U red ball events to Open Grade 3–6 tournaments. Paul has officiated hundreds of competitions, overseeing tens of thousands of matches across venues like Llanelli, Dinas Powys, Cardiff Met, David Lloyd Swansea, Whitchurch and Allt Yr Yn.
His outstanding service was formally recognised when he was named Tennis Wales Official of the Year in 2019. His work has supported the development of some of Wales’ brightest talent, including all three Welsh players who featured at Wimbledon in 2025, Mimi Xu, James Story, and Felix Bockelmann-Evans.
Paul’s impact stretches far beyond elite players. He’s provided a platform for hundreds of grassroots competitors and helped build a fun but competitive environment for competing juniors.
Mark Lewis, Competition & Events Manager for Tennis Wales says’
‘Paul’s impact on the competition landscape across Wales can’t be overstated. His regular delivery of competition for the past 15+ years has been fantastic. I’ll always remember him getting a massive cheer from the junior tables when collecting his Official of the Year Award, showing how well thought of he is by young players. We wish him well on his retirement and he thoroughly deserves his weekend’s off.’
In recent years, Paul has also continued to support Tennis Wales competitions, including the South Wales County Championships, Play Your Way to Wimbledon County Finals, and even on the international circuit, helping to deliver the 2024 ITF Newport event.
As Paul steps back from organising competitions, it’s clear generations of Welsh players have grown and fallen in love with the game thanks to Paul. He’s left the competition landscape in Wales far richer than he found it.
Dillch Paul, for everything you’ve done for Welsh tennis.
