Holland Park Tennis Tournament

On Tuesday 4th July the staff and students at Holland Park School enjoyed an afternoon of tennis at the Campden Hill Tennis Club. Never has the phrase 'sport is played in all weather' been more appropriate, because after weeks on long hot summers days, on Tuesday it began to rain, just as the students' competition was getting underway. The weather did not dampen the spirits of the staff or students, however, and the students in particular showed great resilience by continuing to play in what was for a period quite persistent rain.

The students' competition was very competitive. Each player played two games in the group stage, with the top player progressing to the semi-finals. This created three semi-finals and so three finalists. The finalist played a mini league to create an overall winner. The finalists were Joachim B, Teo M and Dominika B, with Teo winning both matches to finish the overall winner. Congratulations Teo and well done to all participants.

The staff competition was every bit as competitive as the students, with 26 staff members playing the mixed double format of tennis. The competition was divided into four groups with the top pair progression to the semi-finals. Mr. Egleton and Ms. Metherell played Mr. Bjorck and Ms. Bott in the first semi-final, with Mr. Bjorck and Ms. Bott winning by four games to one. The second semi-final was played between Mr. James and Ms. Bailey and Mr. Philips and Ms. Casela with Mr. James and Ms. Bailey winning by five games to three.

This set up the final between Mr. Bjorck and Ms. Bott and Mr. James and Ms. Bailey. Despite some games going to deuce, Mr. Bjorck and Ms. Bott played some excellent tennis to win convincingly by 6 to 0. Congratulations to them both for winning the inaugural Holland Park Tennis Tournament and big well done and thank you to all teachers who took part and helped to organise the event. Our thanks also go to the Campden Hill Tennis Club for having us!