Darling Magazine UK was fortunate to step inside Wimbledon’s quieter heart this summer, where grassroots tennis found its way onto the sport’s most famous lawns. The Play Your Way to Wimbledon national finals, powered by Vodafone and embraced by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the All England Club, brought together players of all ages and abilities — each carrying stories as delicate and resilient as the grass beneath their feet.
From local courts to SW19
For thousands, the journey began on modest courts, in schoolyards, parks, and community clubs. Rackets in hand, they carried quiet hopes through venue, county, and area stages, until more than 10,000 playing opportunities culminated in spirited national finals at Wimbledon.
Rising stars and incredible stories
In the U14 boys’ singles, 13-year-old Mayr-Brown Devall of Chelmsford lifted the trophy with composure beyond his years, delight etched across his face as he admitted: “It’s so good — I just couldn’t believe it when I won.”
On the doubles courts, talent and teamwork shone brightly. In the U18 boys’ doubles, Ben Redman & Alexander Downing proved the strength of partnership, progressing all the way from their home club in Swanland to victory on the Wimbledon grass. At the club level, Josh Lee in the U14 singles and others across the country reminded us that grassroots champions come in many forms, each carrying the pride of their community.
Among the most moving tales was that of Illia Snaksarov, a 13-year-old Ukrainian refugee first spotted hitting balls against the wall of a Glasgow hotel. His rise to the national finals — where he faced Devall — carried the weight of a fairytale. Though the trophy slipped away, his story became a symbol of resilience, community, and the healing power of sport.
Champions across every pathway
Elsewhere, champions emerged across categories: Asif Abbasi reclaimed the men’s wheelchair singles title with elegance and quiet joy, while Aidan Moody of Glasgow lifted the learning disability trophy, a triumph of spirit as much as skill.
This also included Joanne Marshall and Rachel Wilson whom we were able to chat to on the day – Joanne said: “Amazing day, we are playing at Wimbledon, so wow, that we are playing here! we are from a small village in Cumbria, we love tennis, we’ve played young – absolutely love it! always followed the tennis, Love Serina, Love Martina – it’s just the dream!”
Some of the winners we caught up with include U18’s girls – Anisha Krishnan and Alice Moffatt and boys – Kamran Arif and Kai Seed.
More than matches
What lingered was not just the scoreboard but the atmosphere: Mayr-Brown’s smile, Redman and Downing’s partnership, Abbasi’s steady pride, Moody’s determination, Illia’s courage. Together they wove a mosaic of belonging, reminding us that tennis — at its best — is an invitation, not a gate.
Even world-class ambassadors Alfie Hewett OBE and Gordon Reid OBE lent their presence, reinforcing that pathways to Wimbledon are not only possible but vital when access and inclusion sit at the centre of the game.
Looking ahead
The Play Your Way to Wimbledon competition remains Britain’s largest mass-participation tennis pathway — welcoming juniors, adults, and disability players into the joy of the sport. From first rallies at local parks to finals on Centre Court’s doorstep, it proves again that tennis flourishes most when everyone feels they belong.
Play Your Way To Wimbledon
Britain’s largest mass participation tennis competition, Play Your Way to Wimbledon sees players across a range of abilities – including junior, adult and disability categories – pick up a racket to compete in and enjoy fun matches.
They start by competing locally at an event taking place at a local club, park or school, with the winners progressing through to the County and/or Area Finals, and then onto the National Finals at Wimbledon.
This competition is for recreational players who may be new to competing or play matches and tournaments at a local level.
Where to Start and Who can Play
There are plenty of reasons why you should pick up a racket and start playing tennis.
Tennis is a great form of exercise and an amazing sport. Anyone can play; whatever your motivation or ability, from all communities and backgrounds.
At any age and for a whole lifetime, tennis provides physical, social and mental rewards both on and off the court. Best of all, it’s fun and a great way to spend time with friends and family.
Here’s our guide with everything you need to know about tennis for beginners.There are pathways for junior (14U singles and 18U doubles), adult (19+ doubles), wheelchair juniors and adults, learning disability and visually impaired players.
To enter an event, you will need to have an LTA Advantage account and WTN within the following range at the time of competing:
- 14U Junior Singles – WTN 32.0 to 40.9
- 18U Junior Doubles – WTN 28.0 to 40.9
- 19+ Adult Doubles – WTN 25.0 to 40.9
Once a player has won a venue stage event, they automatically qualify for the County Finals (singles) or Area Finals (doubles) and should no longer compete in another venue stage event in the relevant pathway.
