Aegon GB Davis Cup Captain Leon Smith awarded OBE for services to tennis
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Leon Smith was awarded an OBE for services to tennis in the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours.
The Aegon GB Davis Cup Captain received the award from the Duke of Cambridge on Tuesday during an Investiture ceremony held at Buckingham Palace.
It was hugely humbling to receive an OBE.
Since taking over captaincy of the Aegon GB Davis Cup Team in April 2010, Smith has taken the team from Euro/Africa Zone Group II to World Group in just five years. Historically, the team then went on to capture the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas trophy in 2015 for the first time in 79 years.
This year, the LTA also extended Leon Smith's contract as Aegon GB Davis Cup Captain by three years through to the end of 2018.
Leon Smith OBE commented on receiving the award:
“It was hugely humbling to receive an OBE for my services to tennis, and having my family by my side made it even more special.
“What we achieved as a Davis Cup team was incredible and despite not getting to the final this year, 2016 has been fantastic for British Tennis and I feel honoured to have been part of it.
“It’s important now to capitalise on the phenomenal success of our British players and use these achievements to help encourage more boys and girls to pick up a racket and have a go. Programmes like Tennis for Kids are a great opportunity for children to get involved and just enjoy playing the sport that we all love.
“The last year has arguably been the best ever in British Tennis history and I’m already looking forward to how we can better it in 2017, and hopefully bring the Davis Cup trophy back home again!”
