Teresa Catlin heading to the world championships in Florida

Teresa Catlin will be back on the world tennis stage this May after a three-year absence.

The 2019 World Singles and Doubles 50-plus champion will represent Great Britain in the team competition at the ITF World Seniors championship in Florida.

But she will not be staying on for a second crack at the individual titles she won in Lisbon as she has a busy summer schedule in her role as manger of the Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club.

Catlin held her titles for two years with the pandemic forcing the cancellation of the 2020 event and did not defend it in Croatia last year when GB opted not to send any of its players to take part due to health concerns and travel restrictions.

This year she will be reunited with the player who persuaded her to join the senior set-up four years ago when she made her GB 45-plus debut, also in Florida.

Michelle Oldham, a friend and rival from their junior days, has now moved up to the 50-plus team, along with Catlin’s 2018 captain Jo Shepherd, who will again captain.

The team is completed by Bridie Amos, who also makes her debut in this age group, after finishing runner-up to Catlin at the British Indoor Championships a year ago.

Catlin said: “All players from every seniors age group – 50+,55+ and 60+ – are looking forward to getting back together after so long out of the team competition. We hope we can maintain our position as one of the top world teams and once again fight for a place in the medals.

“It is a hard-fought competition but always with a smile and friendly handshake whatever happens with the result. Florida will be a welcome change of climate after two years in Cambridge.”