'Unforgettable' experience as Rushden man wins in national finals of Play Your Way To Wimbledon competition

Tunn, 18, who plays at Riverside Tennis Club, won the men’s doubles event at the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, which is Britain’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club.

Thousands of players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon’s Aorangi Courts last week.

Tunn lifted the trophy alongside Bedford’s Alfie Hearn and revealed it was an experience he will never forget.

He said: “When we got through, I thought we wouldn’t get past the quarter-finals. Seeing yourself in the final and then winning it 10-6 in the match tie-break is amazing.

“We grew up together and have played tennis together since the age of three or four, so it’s nice to have played together at Wimbledon.

“I was looking forward to playing on the courts and getting to see what happens behind the scenes as well.”

Tunn was joined by another Rushden player on the prestigious All England Club courts - Claire Grant, 54, who played in the women’s doubles with Bedford’s Emma Tatum-Hume.

Grant said: “We told everyone that we were coming to play at Wimbledon and we got so many messages of good luck.

“We had a warm up on the grass and it was really nice - I’d never played on grass much before this.”

The event, which took place between August 2 and August 8, offers recreational tennis players of all ages and abilities the opportunity to compete on Wimbledon’s acclaimed grass courts, less than a month after The Championships.

In addition, participants received a tour of the grounds and enjoyed a taste of what it is like competing at Wimbledon, observing the all-white dress code and using the official player facilities.

Last year saw more than 11,000 players taking part in the competition, with more than 780 venues hosting the initial stages and 340 players reaching the national finals.

This year’s Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, and supported by the All England Club and the LTA, hosted 14U Junior Singles, 18U Junior Doubles, 19+ Adult Doubles, Wheelchair Adult and Junior, Learning Disability and Visually Impaired categories, plus Para Standing and Deaf competitions – newly formalised categories for 2026.

A coaching clinic for 14-and-under players was also conducted by head coach of the All England Club, Dan Bloxham.

Play Your Way to Wimbledon encourages tennis enthusiasts of all levels to pick up a racket and get involved in the sport.

Participants begin by competing locally at their club, park or school before progressing to county and/or area finals and eventually reaching the national finals at Wimbledon.

Jamie Baker, associate director of professional tennis and tournament director of The Championships, Wimbledon said: "In partnership with Vodafone and the LTA, we are delighted to open up Play Your Way to Wimbledon to even more players with the addition of para-standing and deaf competitions.

“For many of these players, competing on Wimbledon’s grass courts will be their first experience on the surface.

"We hope this competition continues to inspire players of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to discover the fun and benefits of tennis."

Play Your Way to Wimbledon is the UK’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition.

It is part of Vodafone’s ongoing commitment as Official Connectivity Partner to The Championships, to connect more people with the sports and events they love, while supporting grassroots tennis and making the sport more accessible to players of all ages and abilities.