Teenage tennis star becomes youngest female to win club’s Championship Day

A local teenage tennis player who aspires to play on the courts of Wimbledon has become the youngest ever female to win Frome Tennis Club’s Championship Day. 

Imogen Lines, 16, took part in Frome Tennis Club’s annual Championship Finals Day recently, where she won the title and also won the ladies’ doubles with local player Liz Leatham. 

Chairman of Frome Tennis Club, Tom Jones-Marquez, said, “Imogen’s achievement in becoming the ladies’ club champion at just 16 years old is really phenomenal. It’s thanks to many years of hard work and dedication to tennis, along with excellent coaching from Stephen Marcelle and support from her parents. What a star!” 

“It was a real tennis highlight to play in the competition and win first place,” explained Imogen.  

Imogen started playing tennis when she was around four years old. “Whenever we go on holiday or just to the beach for a weekend, I do usually find the local tennis clubs or courts and join in there as well,” says Imogen. “I have made lots of friends doing this especially in Ilfracombe where there are a lot of juniors and the school holiday sessions are very popular.  I have even played in Barbados at the local club courts and their community courts, too.” 

Alongside playing tennis, Imogen has also completed her Level 1 Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) coaching qualification and plans to pursue tennis coaching as a career after college. 

“Obviously any player’s dream is to become a professional player however, considering where I am at the moment, I don’t think I am good enough to be professional. I would love to be able to play on the courts at Wimbledon one day though. 

“I really hope that the children I coach can move on to have a wonderful tennis career in their futures or just continue to play and enjoy the sport as much as I do. I really would be happy and proud just to be a part of their background which ultimately leads them to becoming tennis players in the future whether professionally or at a good club level.” 

Imogen also received a bursary from Exeter University and completed a course with the university, which was called the Girls’ Leaders Course. Her mum, Sharon Lines said, “It was specifically aimed at young girls to encourage other girls to play tennis. Judy Murray, I believe, was behind it, as she wants more females in the sport.” 

Sport for women and juniors has been a key focus for Frome Tennis Club recently. “We are keen to get the message out and encourage more women and girls to play tennis. I think it is very prominent and important with all sports right now,” explained the club’s development and funding officer, Mattias Warner. 

The annual championships day is a fun club event run every year for all members who want to enter. The rounds leading up to the finals are played between end of May until July, across eight categories.  

The overall winners in the competition this year were: Mixed Doubles winners were Oli and Liz Leatham; Vets Mixed Doubles, Linda Perry and Paul Sherrin; Men’s Doubles, Dan Rider and Michael Harris; Vets Men’s Singles, Simon Brand; Vets Men’s Doubles, Stephen Marcelle and Judd Rawle; and Men’s Singles, Ben Mann.