Competition

The Club may only have two courts, but the focus of competitive opportunities is mainly on Singles play rather than Doubles. The doubles game is in no way despised. Early development builds individual skills and coaching initially introduces singles tactics. Doubles tactics and strategy are taught later.

Idle hitting, however long it is pursued, does little to improve standard, chiefly because the brain is scarcely engaged. Add the competitive edge, however, and the mind is motivated, enhancing the desire to improve and boosting the level of concentration. Those who avoid competition or opt out of their opportunities make very slow progress. Competition abounds at Summerway, and falls into four main categories as follows:

1. At the lowest level, many competitive games are used to hone individual skills and give members the chance to put into operation those things which the coaches have taught them. Examples of this are Summer Sessions, Winter Sessions and Time Tournaments.

2. Next up is the Club’s internal box match league. This runs right through the season and involves the great majority of members of every standard.

3. Thirdly, there are matches against other clubs, especially in the East Devon League. Youngsters who have the standard and are keen to improve are chosen to represent Summerway.

4. Finally, there are the Tournaments. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) sanctions events of many kinds, and there are other local tournaments as well. Summerway runs the Exeter Summerway Open, an LTA Official, each October.

To find out more, click one of the items below.

Þ Summerway Box League

Þ East Devon League

Þ Exeter Summerway Open