Barnet’s Luca Reese may not have lifted silverware this week on the manicured lawns of Wimbledon – but he still enjoyed an unforgettable experience at SW19.
Reese, 11, who attends Haberdashers’ Boys’ School and trains at Hazelwood Lawn Tennis Club, featured in the national finals at Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, which is Britain’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition and is delivered in partnership with the LTA and the All England Club.
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 last week.
Reese did not make it to the final of the men’s para standing 1-2 tournament - but was still thrilled to attend Wimbledon and revealed it was an experience he will never forget.
He said: “It was an experience that I’ll remember for a long time. I was just really happy to be at Wimbledon.
“I usually play on hard courts, but I enjoyed playing on grass and adapting to the different environment.
“My mum came to support me and I was really glad of that. I love racket sports and I just really love tennis.
“Arthur Fery is my favourite player because he showed that even underdogs in this tournament can rise up and get to the top of the draw.
“He is the person I look up to to keep persevering, especially as I have a disadvantage with a limb difference.”
The event, which took place between 2-8 August, offers recreational tennis players of all ages and abilities the opportunity to compete on Wimbledon’s acclaimed grass courts, less than a month after The Championships. 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.
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, powered by Vodafone, and supported by the All England Club and the LTA, 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 – newly formalised categories for 2026.
A coaching clinic for 14&U players was also conducted by Head Coach of the All England Club, Dan Bloxham.
Play Your Way to Wimbledon encourages tennis enthusiasts of all levels to pick up a racket and get involved in the sport. Participants begin by competing locally at their club, park or school before progressing to county and/or area finals and eventually reaching the national finals at Wimbledon.
Jamie Baker, Associate Director of Professional Tennis and Tournament Director of The Championships, Wimbledon said: "In partnership with Vodafone and the LTA, we are delighted to open up Play Your Way to Wimbledon to even more players with the addition of para-standing and deaf competitions.
“For many of these players, competing on Wimbledon’s grass courts will be their first experience on the surface. We hope this competition continues to inspire players of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to discover the fun and benefits of tennis."
Play Your Way to Wimbledon, powered by Vodafone, is the UK’s largest individual mass participation tennis competition. It is part of Vodafone’s ongoing commitment as Official Connectivity Partner to The Championships, to connect more people with the sports and events they love, while supporting grassroots tennis and making the sport more accessible to players of all ages and abilities.
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