June in Pictures | 2020

Our junior players enjoying the smaller squad sessions with Tennis Director Nigel

Adult drills was also back in June, smaller socially distanced sessions (book sessions online clubspark.lta.org.uk/TotallyTennisBasingstoke/Coaching)

Jasmine is enjoying being back on the outdoor courts and has been practising hard since they have re-opened

Before lockdown Performance player and coach Liam Hignett reviewed rackets and ASCIS tennis trainers for Tennis Head Magazine – the article was published in June (read more here tennishead.net)

Coach Liam was part of the Kempshott Junior School (KJS) virtual sports providing tennis activities for the multi-sport event.

Performace players Isla Hignett (above) and Tillie Reid (below) practising together on teh outdoor courts at Stratton Park

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 27: Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski pose with their trophies following their victory in the doubles final on day 5 of Schroders Battle of the Brits at the National Tennis Centre on June 27, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Battle Of The Brits)

Professional tennis returned last month with the ‘Schroders Battle of the Brits‘ taking place behind closed doors at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) and raising money for NHS Charities Together. The singles title was won by Dan Evans and event organiser Jamie Murray and partner Neal Skupski were doubles champions. Murray is gathering Britain’s best women’s and men’s players to take part in another team competition at the NTC from 27th July.

Hignett Features in Tennis Head Magazine

Prior to lockdown, performance player and coach Liam Hignett worked with Tennis Head magazine to test and review some rackets and ASCIS tennis shoes.Hignett, along with three other players tested the ASICS Solution Speed FF shoe with Rene, the top product designer from ASICS – Hignett said, “It felt like I didn’t have anything on but I did have to loosen the laces to avoid a small amount of rubbing in the heel.” The article, which was published in June, can be read in full online by visiting tennishead.net/asics-solution-speed-tennis-shoe-review/

Read more about the Head Prestige Tour tennis racket review online here tennishead.net/head-prestige-tour-2020-tennis-racket-review/

Tennis Head magazine has been the World’s leading destination for tennis fans & players for 15 years with the best news, analysis, opinion, writers, tennis racket & gear reviews, videos, competitions & social media commentary.

Information and photos used with courtesy of tennishead.net

Adult and Junior Group Sessions Restart

With lockdown restrictions easing the first step to returning to normality was the re-opening of the outdoor courts with a new online booking and payment system (book and pay online here www.totallytennis.co.uk).

Phase two has been the restarting of group sessions, smaller groups of players for adult drills and junior squads. Following on from feedback from parents, groups of a maximum of 5 players have been introduced for squads to ensure the required social distance is maintained and the sessions adhere to government and LTA guidelines. The Ferguson and Rushmere families have embraced the new squad sessions with the four children who attend school together (pictured below) now enjoying weekly sessions with Tennis Director Nigel with great feedback received.

Parent Claire Ferguson said, “The kids absolutely loved the session on Monday.  It was run so well from every aspect, the adjustments for Coronavirus were so well  thought through and implemented fully but it didn’t take away from the learning or the enjoyment.” she added, “After such a long break the kids made progress in just their first lesson back and it was just so lovely as a parent to see (and hear!) the fun they were having, wonderful to get back to some normality in a safe way, an absolute tonic. Thank you!“

Long said, “We’re all so pleased to get back on court and return to some sort of normality! We’re really grateful for everyone’s support and positive feedback as some of our regular coaching sessions have been reintroduced. We’d also like to thank everyone for their patience and we hope will will be back in FULL SWING soon!”

For any parents interested in their child/children returning to squad sessions please be assured that hand sanitiser will be used frequently throughout the sessions. On arrival, players are asked to go straight to the outdoor courts where the coach will be waiting. For now the toilets (Pavilion) will remain closed. Parents can watch the sessions outside the court boundary but must maintain a 2m social distance away from the courts entrance so other players can access (read more about the LTA guidelines here www.lta.org.uk/about-us/tennis-news/news-and-opinion/general-news/2020/march/coronavirus-covid-19—latest-advice/).

It’s not just good news for our juniors players as adult drills have also returned with more days/sessions added from next week. Adult drills sessions are now available Monday and Tuesday with group sizes limited to 5 players plus the coach – book fast via the links below to avoid missing out on a space.

​Monday Advanced Drills 6.30 – 7.30pm clubspark.lta.org.uk/TotallyTennisBasingstoke/BookClass/7918aaba-5ca5-4d1b-955a-3945adf87b9a

Monday Improver Drills 7.30 – 8.30pm clubspark.lta.org.uk/TotallyTennisBasingstoke/BookClass/21477fd8-c05c-4727-96c7-3b8f290cad1e​

Tuesday Improver Drills 8 – 9pm clubspark.lta.org.uk/TotallyTennisBasingstoke/Coaching/Summary/9ee53e1c-00b6-4161-a6ef-7bf69b63558e

Outdoor courts can continue to be booked in advance via our online booking system, if you would like to play please visit www.totallytennis.co.uk where you can book and pay for your court. For more information on any of the sessions, court bookings or general enquires please telephone 01256 358816, e-mail us at tt@totallytennis.co.uk or send us a Facebook message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Keep an eye on our social media for any further announcements for more playing options.

 

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Totally Tennis get involved in the KJS Virtual Sports Day

Sports Day traditionally features in a school’s summer calendar but this year due to the pandemic one local Basingstoke school have thought outside the box. Kempshott Junior School have introduced the first ever KJS Virtual Sports Day! The 2020 virtual edition, that runs from Monday 29^thJune (today) to Friday 3^rd July, will give pupils the opportunity to still get involved in the fun, competitive event.

Totally Tennis were excited to be asked to be involved in the KJS Multi-Sports Event where pupils can take part in one or more activities alongside the second event, the KJS Virtual Pentathlon.

Coach Liam provided some tennis volley challenges (see YouTube video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkwOuG37Xfw&feature=youtu.be) for the KJS Multi-Sports Event. The other 5 activities included shuttle runs, skipping over 50m, balance challenge, dizzy football and speed bounce. The KJS Virtual Pentathlon includes run 1km, seated throw, standing long jump, vertical jump and cycle 3km. Participation in both events gives pupils the opportunity to earn points towards the House Cup and additional bonus points are up for grabs in the ‘Beat the teacher’ and the family activity, the ‘Lamp Post relay’.

KJS teacher Chris Golding said, “We have planned a Virtual Sports Day as the majority of our pupils are still working from home. Over the course of this week, the children at home can complete up to 11 sporting activities sending their results back to school by Friday on a questionnaire.” he added, “9 of the 11 events have video demonstrations attached to them.”

“Liam was kind enough to provide us with one of those events and a video to go with it. It was clear, concise and included two fun activities for families to try at home.”

Mr Golding and his colleagues are mid-way through the Sports Day for the Year 6 pupils who are in school today and the children here definitely had fun trying it out (some of our teachers did too!). Two of the pupils commented,

“It was fun, I like the fact that there was more than one challenge.” (Year 6 Pupil A)

“I liked that it was a group activity instead of it being individual.” (Year 6 Pupil B)

Tennis Talk | Schroders Battle of the Brits Draws Announced

The stage is set and the now the draws have taken place for ‘Schroders Battle of the Brits‘ tournament that’s taking place later this month at The National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, London. The event will not only bring much-missed live tennis to fans but also aims to raise a minimum of £100,000 for NHS Charities Together.

The event has been organised by seven-times Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles champion Jamie Murray, alongside Schroders and Amazon Prime Video. The eight male singles players will compete in two groups that have been named after British tennis legends, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedki.

Former British and world number one Andy Murray will face Kyle Edmund in the Henman Group on his return to competitive tennis after seven months. Liam Broady and James Ward will also compete in this group while current British number one Dan Evans, Cameron Norrie, Jay Clarke and Jack Draper will all play in the Rusedski Group.

Competing in the Paul Hutchins doubles group are Liam Broady & Cam Norrie, Dan Evans & Lloyd Glasspool and Jamie Murray & Neal Skupski. Kyle Edmund & Jack Draper, Dom Inglot & Jay Clarke, and Joe Salisbury & Jonny O’Mara will play in the Cathie Sabin group.

Tune into watch the tournament, which will take place behind closed doors at the NTC from 23rd – 28th June, on Amazon Prime for UK and Ireland viewers and Eurosport and Tennis Channel from the US – click HERE for more details.

Read more in previous post MARK YOUR CALENDAR | TENNIS WILL BE BACK ON TV FROM 23RD-28TH JUNE

Keep up-to-date on all future tournaments and news from the LTA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Information and photos sourced and used with courtesy of the www.lta.org.uk and www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/

May in Pictures | 2020

COVID-19 – May 2020 saw the return to socially distanced tennis on the outdoor courts. Our performance players were straight back on court practising and enjoying the Spring sunshine.

In news from the professional game, the LTA announced that seven-times Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles champion Jamie Murray has organised a six-day tennis event that will be screened on Amazon Prime Video. The ‘Schroders Battle of the Brits‘ will take place behind closed doors from 23rd – 28th June at the National Tennis Centre to raise money for NHS Charities Together – read more HERE (photo used with courtesy of www.lta.org.uk

 

Mark Your Calendar | Tennis Will be Back on TV from 23rd-28th June

Are you missing the tennis summer season? The French Open, Wimbledon Championships and the grass court season may have been cancelled but you can still get your tennis fix on Amazon Prime Video watching ‘Schroders Battle of the Brits‘ taking place behind closed doors from 23rd – 28th June.

The six-day event, organised by seven-times Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles champion, Jamie Murray, will be held at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, London to raise money for NHS Charities Together. The mens only fixture will have singles and doubles events and feature top players such as former British and World number one Andy Murray (Jamie’s brother for those who are not aware) alongside other top British players such as Kyle Edmund, Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans.

Jamie told BBC Sport “The last few months have been incredibly challenging times for everyone and we see this event as our way of giving back,” he added, “A lot of work has gone in to make sure this could happen and we are excited to be able to bring an action-packed week of tennis, while raising valuable funds for NHS heroes to say thank you for the amazing work they have done.”

In conclusion, “I’m really excited to be, for the first time, bringing together the current generation of British male players to compete against one another while raising significant funds for charity.” It is hoped the event will raise at least £100,000 for the NHS charities.

Andy Murray has not played since the Davis Cup Finals last November due to a bruised pelvic bone so this event will be testing out his hip in preparation for the start of the professional tennis season whenever that may be.

This will be the first competitive domestic tournament since coronavirus stopped play and will see the top eight British male players battle against each other.  In the singles, two groups of four players will compete for a place in the semi-finals and ultimately to be crowned the singles champions. The doubles competition will see six pairs compete to become the overall doubles winners.

The tournament will be followed by four new British Tour events that will take place over consecutive weeks from 3rd-26th July at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. The venue has been approved as an elite training venue and the LTA has been working with the Government to undertake the necessary preparations and risk assessments to enable these events to happen.

Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive, said: “The LTA is looking forward to bringing tennis back into people’s lives this summer, and are excited about events like this inspiring fans to get involved in our sport and pick up a racket.

Watch the live action exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in the UK and Ireland and on Eurosport and Tennis Channel in the US.

If you are not already an Amazon Prime member click HERE to find out more information. Keep up-to-date on all future tournaments and news from the LTA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Information and photos sourced and used with courtesy of the www.lta.org.uk and www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19 | Return To Restricted Play

We are pleased to announce that following Government and LTA advice our outdoor courts will be opening for singles play and for those in the same household from tomorrow (14th May)

Please click the link below to book your outdoor court online clubspark.lta.org.uk/TotallyTennisBasingstoke/Booking

COVID-19: Return To Restricted Play (Terms & Conditions)

Only the outdoor courts will be in operation. Indoor courts will remain closed.​

Bookings can be made via the Court Booking section on our website. Payments can only be made online – clubspark.lta.org.uk/TotallyTennisBasingstoke/Booking

There is currently no access to the pavilion or toilet facilities.

No more than two people per court unless playing with members from the same household.

Equipment will not be available to hire from the club. Players must bring their own rackets and tennis balls.

Court Bookings are bookable for 60 minutes – Court time 55 Minutes and 5 Minutes to leave.

Please do not arrive too early for your court booking. This is to minimise the amount of players congregating on or around the courts. Please leave on time to allow safe access and departure from courts and to respect the 2 meter distancing rules. ​

To avoid gathering of people in or around the tennis courts, Spectators are discouraged. This does not apply to a parent/guardian/carer, (non participant). This should be limited to one per player and social distancing should be strictly followed at all times.

Bring hand sanitiser with you. Bring a full water bottle and do not share food or drink with others and remember to take all rubbish away with you.

PLEASE ENSURE YOUR BALLS ARE CLEARLY MARKED (EG: WITH INITIALS)

Avoid using your hands to pick up tennis balls that aren’t yours – use your racquet/foot to hit/kick them to your opponent or return them to another court.

​Individual coaching is also available. Please contact us via Facebook with any queries and questions. Visit our website for all the up-to-date information.

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April in Pictures | 2020

At Home with The Hignetts – a series of fun games and challenges to keep active at home from our very own performance players and coaches Liam & Isla Hignett (see full series on Facebook and Instagram)

The viral toilet roll challenge (see video in full on Facebook)

 

Liam & Isla completed Andy Murray’s 100 Volley Challenge demonstrated by him and his wife Kim in their garden

Coach Dom tried out Roger Federer’s volley drill against the wall

Some of our performance players put together a fun TikTok (see video in full on Facebook)

Our team starred in fun Easter video (see full video on Facebook)

Another day, another challenge with Head Coach James (see full video on Facebook)

Andy Murray and Kiki Bertens swapped their rackets for playstation controllers and won the ‘virtual’ Madrid Open titles from and then donated their winnings to charity

World Tennis News | Andy Murray (Virtually) Wins Madrid Open

With the professional tennis tour currently suspended due the coronavirus pandemic, the world’s top ATP and WTA players are swapping their rackets for Playstation controllers to compete in virtual tournaments. Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal were two of thirty-two players who competed online in the Madrid Open Virtual Pro event.

Part of the Tennis World Tour video series, the Madrid Open took place yesterday in the digital version of the Manolo Santana Stadium. Both the men’s and women’s events had prize money with each champion deciding on how to distribute their winnings into relief funds.

Two time Madrid Open champion Murray won his third title without leaving his sofa. Murray, who competed in Group 1 alongside five time winner Nadal, defeated Belgian’s David Goffin in the final 7-6 (5) to win the event and claim the prize money. He shared his winnings between the NHS and the tennis player relief fund, a charity for lower-ranked players who are unable to earn  money during the pandemic.

Murray announced on his Instagram, “I’ll be donating half of the 45 thousand dollars prize money to the NHS and the other half to the tennis player relief fund.”

World number seven Kiki Bertens from Holland won the title after beating France’s Fiona Ferro in the final. Also competing was British number one Johanna Konta, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki among others.

The event, which was streamed live on the Madrid Open’s Facebook page and the platform’s new gaming app, was the first virtual tennis tournament solely contested by professional tour players.

Information sourced from www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/