The 10is Academy Mixed 1st team is off and running at the 2021 LTA Dunlop competition, as they defeated Gransdens 2nd team after a draw against St Neots on the opening match.
All of the talk this week heading into this one was on the absence of superstar Toby Huffer but in his absence, it was head coach Sebastien Scaux who took the reins. Sebastien was a constant threat from the get-go.
After Gransdens surprisingly took a 3/0 lead in the first set against Alisa and Sebastien, the 10is Academy pair came back to take the first set 7/5. The pair would put their blistering forehands on full display to take the second set 6/4.
Minutes later, the 2nd pair made of Michael and Georgia eased to a 6/1 6/4 win against Gransdens 2nd pair. It was Michael’s first as a player of 10is Academy.
Georgia and Alisa are young up-and-coming star who played very strongly.
The match would finish 8 sets to 0 to the visiting team, as 10is Academy are registering their first victory.
Up next, 10is Academy 2nd team was playing away at Ely Tennis Club for the first Ely derby ever.
Their quest to win their first match, will have to wait another week, at least until they welcome Cottenham on Saturday 24th July 2021.
10is Academy put on 2 of their future stars as their 1st pair: Ciara (14) and Michael (17). While captain Chris was paired with Tru (14).
At Ely Tennis Club, the promising 10is Academy young players did not demerit. They battled hard and kept their heads up all the way to the end.
“Launching the next generation is 10is Academy’s goal” said 10is Academy Director, Sebastien Scaux. “They have not won today but they are gaining valuable experience. I am really proud of their attitude and progresses and I know this defeat will help them to learn and grow stronger.”
But the young team led by captain Chris Hemmings have won our hearts and our minds with their rousing performances, their stoicism, and their honesty. Despite a heavy loss (8-0 to Ely TC) Chris was full of compliments for the team: “In the summer sun, we battled hard but, in the end, experience won the match for Ely TC. So many Deuce games, so many clos calls but frustratingly it wasn’t this young side’s day. Still their enthusiasm never faltered.”
It is the beginning of 10is Academy’s quiet revolution: 10is Academy and its players are still learning; they have not yet reached their peak. Sebastien added “This year has been a great success. Despite the lockdowns, 10is Academy has fielded over 12 tennis teams ranging from 9-year-old to adults, we have been able to win a few of leagues and have launched so many new players. Hopefully there is a lot more to come soon.”
Ciara, Tru and Michael are the embodiment of that revolution. The role they have played over the last month for 10is Academy suggests they are great quality players not necessarily in the making, but in the here and now.
There is much to admire about this likeable crop of young role models; much to be excited about in this exhilarating group of local tennis players.
10is Academy is on the search for new players! If you are looking to join a competitive yet friendly team, please do get in touch at admin@10is.co.uk
Press release from 10iS Academy
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