3 days ago
Tennis ace delighted to lift second national title at Wimbledon
Chigwell's Asif Abbasi was delighted to claim silverware for a second time on the manicured lawns of Wimbledon as he enjoyed an unforgettable experience at SW19.
Abassi, 48, who plays and coaches at David Lloyd Chigwell, featured in the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, which is the UK's largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered by Vodafone 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.
Abassi won the men's wheelchair tennis competition, having also claimed the inaugural Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone title in 2023.
He said: "It's great the way Play Your Way is giving opportunity to the players from the regions and all disabilities. This is a great initiative, and I really admire the hospitality and the venue itself is very historic. Being a part of this family is incredible.
'Playing on these courts reminds you how the big names have been part of this venue, and we are a part of the same. It's an amazing feeling.'
This year's tournament delivered over 10,000 playing opportunities with thousands of singles and doubles players taking part at 800 venues, leading to county and area finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on the All England Club's Aorangi Courts from 3 – 9 August 2025.
The competition aims to broaden playing opportunities and to inspire people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and follow in the footsteps of their tennis heroes by competing for a chance to play on Wimbledon's iconic courts.
In addition to 14 and under singles, 18 and under doubles and adult doubles draws, the categories also included wheelchair (adult and juniors), learning disability and visually impaired competitions. The national finals also saw the return of popular para-standing and deaf tennis exhibition matches held during the week.
World No.1 wheelchair doubles partners and Vodafone ambassadors Alfie Hewett OBE and Gordon Reid OBE were in attendance to cheer on the players at SW19 and offer their experience and advice.
'We would have loved to have had something like this when we were younger and playing,' said Hewett.
'Play your Way to Wimbledon is a massive event for someone to pick up a racket for the first time or start playing again if they haven't for a while.
'It's about being active at grassroots level, making friends and new tennis partners and that is the beauty of events like this.'
Reid added: 'We want tennis to be available and accessible to everybody and get as many people as possible enjoying the sport.
'This event encapsulates that perfectly and we're proud to be a part of it.'
