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Find all the latest news on what’s happening at SotoTennis Academy, updates on our players and details of upcoming events right here.
July 2012 - STA's Josh Ward-Hibbert New British Number 1
SotoTennis Academy have their first British junior number 1, after Joshua Ward-Hibbert moved up to the top spot in the LTA junior rankings this week.
Josh has overtaken STA access player Liam Broady who is now GB number 2, after Liam dropped out of the world top 10 in the ITF junior rankings to number 15. Josh is world number 14.
Josh has won 4 Junior ITF doubles titles since December, including the Orange Bowl and the Australian Open Juniors, and played his first ATP qualifying at the AEGON INternational at Eastbourne last month.
A shoulder injury forced him to retire in the first round of the Wimbledon boys singles, but he bounced back winning his first ATP points at the Felixtowe Futures in England in July, reaching the quarter-finals there. It means he is now ranked 1377.
A shoulder injury forced him to retire in the first round of the Wimbledon boys singles, but he bounced back winning his first ATP points at the Felixtowe Futures in England in July, reaching the quarter-finals there. It means he is now ranked 1377.
Read more about Josh in his player profile.
July 2012 - STA Access Players are Wimbledon Champions!
STA access players Jonny Marray and Freddie Nielsen have completed their fairytale Wimbledon becoming Men's Doubles Champions.
The pair who were only playing their third tournament together, made Wimbledon history on saturday beating last years finalists and 5th seeds Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau in a thrilling 5 set match on centre court 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3.
Marray became the first Brit to lift the Men's Doubles trophy at SW19 in 76 years, while Nielsen was the first Dane to reach the final of a Grand Slam since his late Grandfather Kurt Nielsen reached the Wimbledon men's final in 1955.
STA Head Coach Dan Kiernan won several Futures doubles titles with Jonny Marray, and Marray and Nielsen are now both STA access players. Jonny spoke to us this morning about their outstanding victory "It's an amazing feeling to wake up as a Wimbledon Champion and do it with such a good mate as Freddie makes it even more special. I am not sure it has sunk in yet! But I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at SotoTennis for the support not only the last two weeks but the last couple of years"
A massive Congratulations to Jonny and Freddie from us all here at SotoTennis Academy!
Read Freddie's blog that he wrote the last time he was at STA.
The pair who were only playing their third tournament together, made Wimbledon history on saturday beating last years finalists and 5th seeds Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau in a thrilling 5 set match on centre court 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3.
Marray became the first Brit to lift the Men's Doubles trophy at SW19 in 76 years, while Nielsen was the first Dane to reach the final of a Grand Slam since his late Grandfather Kurt Nielsen reached the Wimbledon men's final in 1955.
STA Head Coach Dan Kiernan won several Futures doubles titles with Jonny Marray, and Marray and Nielsen are now both STA access players. Jonny spoke to us this morning about their outstanding victory "It's an amazing feeling to wake up as a Wimbledon Champion and do it with such a good mate as Freddie makes it even more special. I am not sure it has sunk in yet! But I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at SotoTennis for the support not only the last two weeks but the last couple of years"
A massive Congratulations to Jonny and Freddie from us all here at SotoTennis Academy!
Read Freddie's blog that he wrote the last time he was at STA.
July 2012 - Access Players Through to Wimbledon Doubles Final!
STA Access players Jonny Marray and Freddie Nielsen are into the final of the men’s doubles at Wimbledon!
The pair pulled off a massive upset to beat the defending champions and most successful doubles team in history, Bob and Mike Bryan 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 on Friday. It means Jonny Marray, 31, has become the first British player in 72 years to reach the Wimbledon men’s doubles final.
Marray and Nielsen will face Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau or Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner in the final on Sunday.
STA Head Coach Dan Kiernan played with Jonny and Freddie in German League and the National Premier League. He and sveryone at SotoTennis Academy wish them the best of luck for Sunday!
The pair pulled off a massive upset to beat the defending champions and most successful doubles team in history, Bob and Mike Bryan 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 on Friday. It means Jonny Marray, 31, has become the first British player in 72 years to reach the Wimbledon men’s doubles final.
Marray and Nielsen will face Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau or Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner in the final on Sunday.
STA Head Coach Dan Kiernan played with Jonny and Freddie in German League and the National Premier League. He and sveryone at SotoTennis Academy wish them the best of luck for Sunday!
July 2012 - Josh’s Wimbledon Campaign Hit By Injury
It was a frustrating week for STA player Josh Ward-Hibbert after suffering an injury as he prepared for Junior Wimbledon.
Josh was warming up for his 1st round singles match on Monday when he injured his right shoulder. He went onto play against Sweden’s Elias Ymer but was forced to retire at 6-0, 2-0.
Josh had a couple of days to rest before he took to the court with STA access player Liam Broady for the boys doubles, seeded 2nd. Despite Josh’s injury they won their first round match in a Championship tie-break, but lost in the last 16 in another deciding Championship tie-break to Felip Bergevi and Mikael Torpegaard.
STA Head Coach Dan Kiernan said “When the dust settles on this week, this will be another experienced gained for Josh. This week has been difficult for him after he was so well prepared for the event and playing so well leading in, but this is the life of a pro player and I am sure he will have many more opportunities over the years to excel on this stage”
Josh was warming up for his 1st round singles match on Monday when he injured his right shoulder. He went onto play against Sweden’s Elias Ymer but was forced to retire at 6-0, 2-0.
Josh had a couple of days to rest before he took to the court with STA access player Liam Broady for the boys doubles, seeded 2nd. Despite Josh’s injury they won their first round match in a Championship tie-break, but lost in the last 16 in another deciding Championship tie-break to Felip Bergevi and Mikael Torpegaard.
STA Head Coach Dan Kiernan said “When the dust settles on this week, this will be another experienced gained for Josh. This week has been difficult for him after he was so well prepared for the event and playing so well leading in, but this is the life of a pro player and I am sure he will have many more opportunities over the years to excel on this stage”
June 2012 - Josh Helps GB to Victory Over USA
STA player Joshua Ward-Hibbert has been representing Great Britain this week in the LTA Junior Challenge Trophy against the USA
Josh lost his opening match to Junior world number 7 Mitch Kruger who reached the semi-finals of the French Open last month. He came back from a set and a break down to win the second set in the windy conditions at Eastbourne, but just narrowly lost the third 6-4. At 4-3 up in the second set,they were moved off their court so Andy Roddick could play his quarterfinal of the AEGON International. Josh and his opponant had to wait over an hour for a new court so they could complete the match.
STA access player Liam Broady won his two matches, his second win giving GB an unbeatable 5-2 lead.
Josh bounced back for his 2nd match beating World number 14 Noah Rubin 6-4, 6-4, to help Great Britain to a 6-2 win over the USA, the first time they have won the LTA Junior Challenge Trophy.
Josh is now playing the AEGON Junior International at Roehampton, before Junior Wimbledon starts on Monday July 2nd.
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