Hopes Wimbledon will inspire people on the Yorkshire Coast to try tennis

The final of the competition takes place today

Author: Karen LiuPublished 16th Jul 2023

A Yorkshire Coast tennis club says Wimbledon is inspiring people to try out the sport as the finals of the competition takes place today.

It is thought it brings more young people to start playing although more women are also needed.

Judy Milburn, a committee member and player at Hackness and Scarborough Tennis Club, said: "We've got quite a number of juniors and I think maybe that's through Wimbledon. We have membership of just over 100 and 20 odd of those are junior members. We've got a good coaching programme and I must admit there are more boys than girls.

"If you take on tennis, I think it's social, it's good for your health, mental wellbeing and your joints. It can be played inside and it can be played outside, so it's a good all-round year sport to play."

Michelle Harrison plays at the same club, she decided to take on tennis two years ago and said: "I sort of given up on running sports after breaking my leg aged 44. I came up to have a go, found out that it's so much better on your joints than you think and I absolutely love it. I've not stopped playing since I turned up and had a taster session. This is my main go to sport now.

"For the young ladies and teenage girls to see women athletes that have had children and can come back to a sport at the same level that they were, they give them maternity leave now whereas before they had to start from the beginning and work their way back up again. I think it's inspiring to see this and that you can carry on and be competitive and I think it's fantastic."

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