The future's bright, the present is orange, for Chichester tennis

A record number of 11 young players entered - members of the host club and others in Hampshire and Sussex.

Mini tennis orange is a great way for players to continue their progress from mini tennis red and is for players aged eight and nine. 

It is played with shorter racquets, softer balls and the courts are bigger and wider than the red stage, but still smaller than full-size tennis courts allowing players to develop a rounded game while learning a range of techniques and tactics.

It is the next stage before playing on a full-sized court and helps players develop different shots and tactics. An orange ball is used which is 50 per cent slower than a yellow ball, giving players better control at this important stage of development.

This grade-five boys’ singles tournament was the latest junior tennis tournament to be held at the club in the current 2013 summer competition season.

The first stage of the event was run using a round-robin format comprising two groups of players, with each match featuring a best of three tie-breaks to seven points.

The best two qualifiers from each group went into an elimination stage, with Adam Payce collecting the bronze medal by beating Thomas Bisatt 7-4, 7-3. The silver medal went to Ben Midgley and gold went to William Eales, who won 7-4, 7-4 in the final.

Tournament organiser and referee Peter Cook said: “It was extremely windy and so huge praise must go to all the players. The quality of tennis was very high indeed, considering how difficult it must have been to play.

“Thanks must also be given to all the parents who once again gave up time on their precious Sunday afternoon to come along and support the youngsters.”