Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club manager Teresa Catlin wins top LTA award

Teresa Catlin has been recognised for a stunning 2019 by being named the women’s senior player of the year at LTA Tennis Awards.

The Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club manager won singles and doubles gold in the ITF Seniors World Championships in Portugal, and also won the singles crown at the Seniors’ British Indoors tournament.

Catlin, who plays in the over-50s category, has contributed significantly to British tennis during her career and was one of 18 national winners.

In a virtual ceremony, she was presented her award by Leon Smith OBE, LTA head of men’s tennis and Davis Cup captain.

“When I received a phone call from Edward Oakenfull – head selector for the seniors’ GB teams – to tell me about winning the award, I was in shock. I’m immensely proud and surprised in equal measure,” said Catlin.

“It makes a huge difference not just to myself, but to my clients and supporters at the Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club, who are even more motivated to play and follow the results more closely now because of their interest in me and the whole GB team.

“All the years of coaching has kept me reasonably fit, and I have been lucky not to have had any major injuries or illnesses and naturally hitting thousands of balls a week always helps.

“I look forward to competing again next year, all being well ,and I hope to inspire my fellow female members to compete in more tournaments knowing they have many years of competitive tennis ahead of them.

“Age is not a restriction in our wonderfully inclusive game and tennis is a great way to stay in contact with friends around the country.”

Currently in their fifth year, the LTA Tennis Awards celebrate the achievements made by outstanding tennis volunteers, coaches, officials, venues and players in Britain.

Streamed live on LTA channels and presented by Leon Smith OBE, the national ceremony – which was digital for the first time in the awards’ history – saw the likes of current British No 1s Dan Evans and Johanna Konta pick up the LTA’s Men’s and Women’s ‘Player of the Year’ awards respectively, alongside 16 other deserving national winners.

This year saw more than 2,000 nominations across grassroots categories including Young Person of the Year and Club of the Year.

Nominations were drawn from more than 25,000 volunteers, 4,400 coaches, 940 officials, 20,000 schools, 2,700 clubs and more than 9,700 LTA approved tournaments, demonstrating the extraordinary contributions of individuals and venues who help to open up the sport and bring new fans and players to the game.

“The LTA Tennis Awards are a real celebration of the people that make our sport thrive,” said LTA president, David Rawlinson.

“They celebrate the achievements made by outstanding volunteers, coaches, officials, venues and players, who are all vital in helping us to grow the game.

“To be named a national winner out of over 2,000 public nominations is a fantastic achievement so I’d like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and extend my thanks to each and every one of them for all that they do to help tennis in Britain.”

*Inspired by Teresa’s story? To find out more information about the LTA Tennis Awards or for information on how to play, coach, volunteer or officiate in tennis, head to lta.org.uk.