FIVE Truro Lawn Tennis Club players had an unforgettable experience after competing on the manicured lawns of Wimbledon earlier this month.

Jessie Louw, Ross Dowler, Ned Harris, Sophie Ayres and Katia Watkins featured in the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, which is Britain’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the All England Club.

The event, which took place between August 2 to 8, offers recreational tennis players of all ages and abilities the opportunity to compete on Wimbledon’s acclaimed grass courts. In addition, participants received a tour of the grounds and enjoyed a taste of what it is like competing at Wimbledon, observing the all-white dress code and using the official player facilities.

Thousands of players took part in the qualifying stages this year, leading to county and regional finals in June and July, with the winners progressing to the national finals on Wimbledon’s Aorangi Courts.

Louw, 14, who attends Penair School, was still thrilled to attend Wimbledon and revealed it was an experience she will never forget, despite not making it to the final of the 14 and under girls’ singles tournament.

She said: “I played the qualifying in Truro and then won a tournament in St. Austell to make it to Wimbledon. It was my birthday so it was an extra special birthday!”

Dowler, 45, and Harris, 27, played together in the men’s doubles and enjoyed competing on such prestigious courts.

“I’d never been here before - for a first experience, it doesn’t get better than this,” said Dowler, while Harris added: “The grass courts that we’ve got in Cornwall aren’t quite up to the standard here.”

In the 18 and under girls’ doubles, Ayres and Watkins enjoyed experiencing Wimbledon from a player’s perspective.

“I like coming to watch, so it's nice to see a different side of it,” said Ayres, while Watkins commented: “I had to get used to the grass because I’d never really played on it. My favourite part about the sport is probably competing.”

Last year saw over 11,000 players taking part in the competition, with more than 780 venues hosting the initial stages and 340 players reaching the national finals.

This year’s Play Your Way to Wimbledon, hosted 14U Junior Singles, 18U Junior Doubles, 19+ Adult Doubles, Wheelchair Adult and Junior, Learning Disability and Visually Impaired categories, plus Para Standing and Deaf competitions, which were newly formalised categories for 2026.

A spokesperson for Truro Lawn Tennis Club said: “There were some fantastic performances from the Truro players in the Play Your Way To Wimbledon. It was a great opportunity to go up against fellow county winners as well as making lovely memories.

“All players should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved over the last four months to qualify through Truro Tennis Club, then win the regional round and finishing off on the amazing grass courts at Wimbledon.”