At Home with The Hignetts | Self-Isolation Tennis Training Exercises

We asked performance players and coaches Liam and Isla Hignett to give us some tennis training exercises that can be practiced at home, either indoors or in the garden, to keep everyone active over this period of enforced self-isolation.

The first series of six exercises, that can be performed alone or with a sibling/parent, include the following (demonstration videos will be published on our social media over the coming days). There will also be a series of fun games.

We would love to see your videos of you trying the exercises. Let us know what you are doing to get fit and active.

Thank you Liam and Isla for helping us to keep motivated at this challenging time 😉

Runners-up Medal for Isla at the Eastleigh Open

Performance player Isla Hignett played in the 16 & under girls singles at the Eastleigh Open 2019, held at the David Lloyd Club in Southampton, finishing in the runner-up spot.

Second seed Hignett had a bye in the first round and then beat Daisy Doherty 6-1, 6-1 in the quarters and fourth seed Isabella Hope in the semis 6-1, 6-2 before losing in the final against third seed Nora Khediri 6-3, 7-5. In the 16 and under Girls Doubles Hignett and partner Tillie Reid defeated Olivia Higgs and Polina Ivanushkina in the quarters 4-0, 4-0 but lost out in the semis to top seeds Helen Coomber and Amelia Monteith 4-1, 4-0. Reid also competed in the singles but lost in the first round against Scarlett Doman 6-1, 6-0. 

In the 12 & under boys singles Hayden Cummings lost in the first round against second seed Olivier Paris 7-6(2), 6-1. He also played in the 12 & under Boys Doubles with partner Oliver Rycroft  losing in the quarters to Jack Ford and Henry Hughes 4-2, 4-2. The pair were runners-up in the 12 & under Boys Doubles consolation event after losing to Thomas Hargreave and Noah Mayers in the final 4-2,2-4, 10-6.

 

 

Another Doubles Title for Isla and Tillie

Performance player Isla Hignett and Tillie Reid won the 18 and under Girls Doubles title at the White Horse Indoor Junior Winter Tennis Tournament held in Oxford.

In the round robin event the pair beat  Lola-Juliet Omran and Youka Togashi 4-1, 4-3(3) and Kirsty Da Silva and Darcy Herring Johnson 4-1, 4-1 to win the event.

The girls will return to the White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre in the New Year to compete in the 18 and under Girls Singles on the 4th January where Hignett is second seed and Reid is fourth.

Congratulations girls and good luck in the singles event next month.

AOC SOUTH EAST REGIONAL DOUBLES COMPETITION

Following on from the successful AOC South East Regional singles competition on Tuesday 12 November (read about that HERE), the doubles competition was also hosted at Totally Tennis’ indoor centre on Friday 29 November. 

There was a slightly reduced entry list with some last minute withdrawals, leaving just three Colleges competing for the Boys, Girls and Mixed doubles titles; Queen Mary’s (QMC), Richard Collyer’s and Peter Symonds. The match format was the new FAST4 rules.

Six pairs competed in the boy’s doubles with QMC represented by Matt Berry/Chris Bundhoo and Totally Tennis pairing of Harry Feast/Ollie Brown (pictured below). Berry and Bundhoo lost their opening group match against the top seeds from Peter Symonds 4-0, 4-2, they played much better in their second match but frustratingly lost out in two tie-breaks 4-3 (2), 4-3 (4). In the other group, Feast and Brown lost their first match against Peter Symonds but beat Richards Collyer’s to finish second in the group, 3-4 (6), 4-3 (1) and 10-6.  

Goldson said, “Both Harry and Ollie showed greater consistency in this match and a more aggressive approach saw them come back from a first set deficit, to win a highly contested match where with three tie breaks deciding each set.“

Having reached the semi-final, they then had to play the top seeds from Peter Symonds, who played a very solid match to win 4-2, 4-1. Despite the loss, both players enjoyed the experience and both played well, against more highly ranked players. The final saw the two Peter Symonds pairs playing each other, with the number 1 seeds of James Ardley and Paddy Thorne winning comfortably 4-0, 4-2.

In the girls’ doubles, there were only three pairs in the competition and the Peter Symonds number one pairing of Magda Kornijckuz and Loreli Sanderson had a relatively comfortable win, taking both matches in the round robin group to win.  QMC were not represented in the girls’ doubles. Harry Feast and Poppy Goffin represented QMC in the Mixed Doubles and finished in 4th place overall, Calista Muna and Alex Costa from Richard Collyer’s College were the winners.

Goldson said, “Really proud of the efforts from Chris, Matt, Ollie and Harry today.  We always knew it would be tough to get past the Peter Symonds number one pairing but the they all played some great tennis.” she added,  “I was especially pleased to see Harry and Ollie make the semi-final.”

AoC Sport, formed following the merger of British Colleges Sport, English Colleges FA and the Association of Colleges sport policy team, is the membership organisation for colleges, leading the development of sport and physical activity in 16+ education. Sport and physical activity are essential components of college life, giving students significant advantages in education, employment and health. The AoC vision is for every college student to participate regularly in sport or physical activity and their purpose is to promote, support and deliver college sport and physical activity. Read more about AoC sport on their website www.aocsport.co.uk

Hignett represents Hampshire & IOW in Winter County Cup

Totally Tennis performance player and coach Liam Hignett represented Hampshire and Isle of Wight (IOW) in the LTA Mens Winter County Cup 2019.

The Hampshire team of Hignett, James Blair, Timothy Farthing, Oliver Fernandez, Ryan Golesworthy, Austin Gwilliam, George Houghton, Michael Johnson, Miles Mcdowall, Robert Mitchell, Jake Norris, Edward Percival and Paul Scullard were competing in Division 1 Group 4A against teams from Buckinghamshire, Dorset and Shropshire.

On the first day Hampshire beat Shropshire 8-1 with top seed Hignett defeating Luke Henley 6-3, 7-5 in the singles. In the doubles with partner Golesworthy he beat Henley and Thomas Loxley 6-3, 6-2. Things didn’t go so well for the team on day 2 with a 5-4 loss against Dorset in a close fixture, Hignett lost his singles against Toby Samuel 6-4, 6-3 and also lost in the doubles with Golesworthy against Samuel and Sam Bossem in the third set tie-break 6-2, 6-7(2), 10-6.

On the final day things didn’t improve with a 7-1 defeat against eventual group winners Buckinghamshire. Hignett lost his three set singles match against top seed Michael Shaw 6-3 4-6 4-6 but won the doubles with Golesworthy on a walkover against Shaw and partner Roy Knight. The Hampshire team managed to stay again in the division after some tough, tight wins and losses over the weekend.

Hignett said, “As always it’s a pleasure to be a part of this great team and we’ll be looking for promotion next year! It was a privilege to play at number one position this year playing my part in some quality battles particularly against Buckinghamshire’s number 1.” he added, “I love playing in these events as the team atmosphere whilst on court and the off court banter and laughs make it unlike any other tennis event out there. Thanks to all the boys for another great weekend.”

 

Feast Represents the QMC Team in the AOC Singles Competition

The Queen Mary’s College (QMC) team, who train at Totally Tennis, competed in the AOC South East Regional Singles tournament played at the indoor centre on 12th November. Both the boys and the girls draws were round robin groups, where the top two progressed to the semi-finals.  The boys draw has fourteen players and the girls draw seven players.

QMC was represented by Totally Tennis performance player and assistant coach Harry Feast and Matt Berry and in the girls event, former Totally Tennis player Aisling McGrane, who was the top seed.

The boys event had some great matches in the early group stages, Berry gained an early victory 4-0, 4-0 against one of the Bexhill players but subsequently lost his second match against Mironovic from Havant & South Downs 3-4 (6), 1-4.  In his last group match Berry beat the Richard Collyers player, 4-2, 4-1, to earn himself second spot and progression to the semi-finals.

QMC PE teacher and tennis team manager Sarah Goldson said,”Having watched Matt play in a number of matches at College during his first year, this was unquestionably the best tennis I have seen him play in competition.  He served exceptionally well, and was aggressive throughout, it really was an impressive level of tennis.”

Feast only had two group matches due to the withdrawal of one of the players prior to the start of the competition.  He had a comfortable win against Taylor from Richard Collyers which effectively put him in a good position to qualify, with his second and final match in the group against the seeded player in the group.  He lost this match 2-4, 1-4 but his level was improving, and he ultimately played his best tennis in the final stages.  

In the quarter finals, Berry was beaten by the number 2 seed, 4-2, 4-0 but Feast had a highly competitive match against Mironovic which he won 4-2, 3-4 (6) and 1-0 (10).  This was a great match from Harry, his defensive skills in particular where excellent and he continued to play aggressively in the deciding tie break, despite the disappointment of losing a close tie break in the second set.  His next opponent, was the number one seed, James Ardley from Peter Symonds, and Feast was disappointed to lose the match having started well and found his form and lost in a ten point tie break. The final was contested by the two Peter Symonds players, which Milan Bharadia won in two tie break sets.

Goldson said’ “I was really impressed with how Harry played.”  

In the girl’s event, McGrane (pictured left) won through to the final comfortably with the loss of just a handful of games.  In the final, she faced the Peter Symonds player, Magda Konicjzuk and although the initial set was close, with McGrane taking it on a tie break; she raised her level in the second set and closed out the match 4-0 with some excellent serving.

Goldson said, “It’s great to have someone of Aisling’s calibre representing the College at the regional competition and we look forward to see how she gets on at the National Finals in Nottingham.”

AoC Sport, formed following the merger of British Colleges Sport, English Colleges FA and the Association of Colleges sport policy team, is the membership organisation for colleges, leading the development of sport and physical activity in 16+ education. Sport and physical activity are essential components of college life, giving students significant advantages in education, employment and health. The AoC vision is for every college student to participate regularly in sport or physical activity and their purpose is to promote, support and deliver college sport and physical activity.

 

Read more about AoC sport on their website www.aocsport.co.uk

September In Pictures

50+ players enjoying the September sun on the outdoor courts

Coach Dominic Mitchell joined the coaching team on a full time basis

The 50+ players enjoying their regular Wednesday morning session with Head Coach James

Coach Steph Catlin and former coach Ben Jubin successfully defended their Basingstoke Open Mixed Doubles title to win again this year

Coaches James and Liam held an Under 9 Boys County Training session (above and below)

Performance player and coaching assistant Harry Feast won the 18 & under Boys singles title at the East Winter County Tour Oxford Sports tournament

Coaches Loic and Andrew held the latest TT Tour event

Meet our homegrown coaches in our latest interviews

Head coach James Mcintosh delivered Tennis Assemblies at local schools 

The club held its annual World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event in support of Macmillan Cancer Support

Local school children attended the Free Big Weekend Open Day event

Totally Tennis 50+ player Elvira Olbrich competed for her native Poland in the Women’s 65 category of the Kitty Godfree Cup at the 39th ITF Super-Seniors championships

 

Aaron Dawson crowned 16 & U County Champion

Keeping up Totally Tennis’ record of consecutive County Champions for over twenty five years, performance player Aaron Dawson was crowned the 16 & under Boys Singles champion at last weeks annual Hampshire & IOW County Championships 2019 held at Winchester Racquets & Fitness club. Overall the club had five winners and six runners-ups across all the age groups.

After a bye in the first round top seed Dawson beat Oliver Hopper 6-0, 6-1 in round two and then defeated eighth seed Matthew Dillon 6-4, 6-1 in the quarters followed by third seed Aaron Butcher 6-2, 6-1 in the semis. In the final Dawson beat fourth seed Jed Voysey 6-3, 6-3 to win the title. Club mate Harry Feast also competed beating William Dyer 6-0, 6-0 in the first round but lost out in round two against Butcher  5-7,6-3, 1-0(8). 

Dawson also won the 16 & under Doubles title with partner Jack Curtis.  In the quarters the top seeds beat Voysey and partner Egan Daborn 4-1, 4-1, Sam Ardley and Freddie Swain in the semis 4-0, 4-0 and second seeds Butcher and Owen Martel in the final  1-4, 4-0, 1-0(4). Fellow performance player and coach Liam Hignett won the Men’s Doubles title with partner Ryan Golesworthy defeating William Coward and David Darrock in the semis 4-0, 4-1 and second seeds James Blair and Mats Colling in the final 4-2, 4-1.

Younger sister Isla Hignett and partner Tillie Reid won the 16 and under Girls Doubles title beating Scarlett Doman and Poppy Marston 4-1, 4-0 and Charlotte & Evangeline Howard 4-2, 4-1. Isla also won the 18 & under Mixed Doubles with partner Chris Adeshina after beating Aaron Butcher and Martyna Ciubatiuk 4-2, 4-1 and Feast and Reid 4-0, 4-0. Hignett.

Mini performance player Hayden Cummings finished in the runner-up spot in the 10 and under Boys Singles after a three set battle in the final against Tuna Lokman 2-4, 4-1, 10-1. Following a bye in the first round Cummings beat Cameron Jeffries Keel 4-2, 5-3 in the quarters and Xinghan Zhao in the semis 4-0, 4-2. Clubmate Harry Dolman was knocked out in the first round against Felix Inglis 4-0, 4-1. In the 12 and under Boys Singles, Cummings beat Zhao in the first round before losing in round two to top seed Sam Cawood 6-1, 6-1.

In the 10 & under Mixed Doubles Cummings and Lokman were runners-up and Dolman and partner Cameron Jeffries Keel finished in  fourth place. Dolman was runner-up in the 9 & under Mixed Doubles with partner Riley Webb. Dolman finished third in the 9 and under singles after beating Zachary Kleiner in the second round 7-4, 7-1, Cameron Jeffries Keel in the quarters 7-5, 7-5 but then lost in the semis against Percy Weston 7-2, 3-7, 7-4. 

In the 14 & under Girls Singles third seed Kirsty Da Silva was runner-up defeating Camille Phillips in the first round 6-2, 6-4 and Katie Hart in the quarters 6-0, 6-1 and top seed Ivana Maynard in the semis 2-6, 6-4, 1-0(5). In the final Da Silva lost against second seed Scarlett Doman 6-1, 6-3. In the 14 & under Girls Doubles second seeds Da Silva and partner Ivana Maynard were runners up after beating Harriet Burley and Holly Cann 4-0, 4-0 but lost to top seeds Sienna Boyce and Ciubatiuk in the three set final 1-4, 4-2, 1-0(4). Da Silva was also runner-up in the 14 & under Mixed Doubles with partner Joshua Furneaux.

Reid, Da Silva and Isla Hignett all competed in the 16 and under Girls Singles. After a bye in the first round, second seed Hignett beat Scarlett Doman 6-1, 6-1 in the quarters but lost to third seed  Ciubatiuk in the semis 6-3, 6-3. Both fourth seed Reid and Da Silva lost in the first round to Mia Gerty 6-2, 6-1 and Sienna Boyce 7-5, 6-4 respectively. Isla also competed in the Open Womens Singles losing in the first round to second seed Freya Davies 6-2, 6-1. In the Womens Doubles, Hignett and partner Magda Kornijczuk went out in the semi final stages against second seeds Natalie Sayer and Summer Colling 1-4, 4-2, 1-0(3). 

In the 18 & under Boys singles Feast defeated William Woolnough in the first round 6-2, 6-1 before losing against top seed and former Totally Tennis player Golesworthy in round two 6-0, 6-0. Fourth seed Dawson beat Sam Morgan 6-0, 6-0 in round two and seventh seed Milan Bharadia 6-3, 6-2 but lost in the semis to Golesworthy 6-0, 6-1. In the 18 and under Boys Doubles Dawson and partner Jack Curtis beat George Copplestone and Franko Stoman in the quarters 4-1, 4-0 but lost to top seeds Golesworthy and his partner William Jones in the semis 4-1, 4-0.

Congratulations to all the winners, runners-ups and everyone that entered this years County Championships 🙂

 

July in Pictures

Liam Hignett (right) & partner Miles McDowall won the British Tour FAST4 Doubles at the National Tennis Centre

Some of our coaches enjoyed visits to the year’s Wimbledon Championships

Coaches Liam and Jamie (along with Tillie & Isla) played against each other in Warsash

Dean Cooper Kirby played in the Grade 4 ITF in the Bahamas

Mini Performance player Hayden Cummings (left) and partner Tuna won the 10 & U Doubles in Bath

Liam Hignett was part of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight team that participated in Group 4 of the LTA Summer Mens Doubles County Cup 2019

Isla Hignett won the 16 & U singles title in Woking

Tillie & Isla won the 16 & U doubles title in Woking

Summer Tennis Camp Fun

 

Summer Titles for Isla and Tillie

Totally Tennis performance players Isla Hignett and Tillie Reid won the 16 & under Girls Doubles title at the 92nd Woking Open held at Woking Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.

After a bye in round one, the girls, who were top seeds, beat  Ellen Alliston and Allegra Hodson in the quarters 4-1, 4-0 followed by third seeds Rebecca Fisher and Daniella Scotland in the semis 6-4, 6-3. In the final they defeated Sofia Maine and Sienna Rolland from The Bourne Club 6-0, 6-3 to win the title.

It was a double celebration for Hignett who also won the 16 & under girls singles title beating eighth seed Hodson in the final 6-4, 6-0 to win her second trophy of the tournament. A first round bye top seed Hignett defeated Sofia Maine  6-4, 6-2 in round two, Raga Ram in the quarters 4-0, 4-2 and sixth seed Anya Hamilton in the semis 4-1, 4-2.  Third seed Reid also had a bye in the first round and then beat Isabella Calvert 6-3, 6-3 in  round two but was then knocked out of the competition by Hamilton in a three set quarter final match 2-4, 5-4(5), 1-0(6).

In the 18 & under Girls Singles competition Hignett beat Rebecca Scofield 6-3, 6-0 in the quarters but was then knocked out in the semis by second seed and eventual winner Jorja Reynolds 6-4, 6-1. Reynolds, who plays at Manor Park Tennis Centre, also defeated Reid in the quarters 6-0, 6-2. 

Well done girls!