12U
Welcome to 12U performance tennis! It’s at this age and stage that our experiences ramp up quite a bit, along with our competition calendar. This could be the age where you compete in your first Tennis Europe event, if so goodluck; embrace the challenge, and make new friends with those sharing your passion.
National Coaches
We have five National Age Group Coaches in the National Performance stage of our Player Pathway who each captain a different age group and gender in the 14U space. You will most likely see them at National Competition and domestic Tennis Europe events; get to know them a little more below.
Favourite slam Wimbledon
Dream doubles partner Roger Federer
Favourite shot Drive volley
Favourite tennis moment Delivering and being involved in GB Friendlies and Winter/Summer cups
Favourite slam French Open
Dream doubles partner Chris Wilkinson or Rod Laver
Favourite shot Backhand chisel in counter offensive mode – last recorded miss was 1976 on a damp bumpy grass court during late evening low light conditions
Favourite tennis moment Winning a 2024 indoor hard court event in Grenoble, age 62. Beating in semi final: Frank Atkins (Scotland, age 10) 6/1. Final: Fletcher Davies (Wales, age 9) 6/1.
Favourite slam Wimbledon
Dream doubles partner Steffi Graf
Favourite shot Forehand
Favourite tennis moment Winning in five sets on my Wimbledon men’s debut aged 19 against Jonas Bjorkman (1996)
Favourite slam Wimbledon
Dream doubles partner Mansour Bahrami
Favourite shot Backhand
Favourite tennis moment Playing Stefan Edberg on Centre Court at Wimbledon in 1993 and competing in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games
Favourite Slam Wimbledon, it has to be!
Dream doubles partner Jana Navotna
Favourite shot Slice backhand
Favourite Tennis moment A player I coached from 12-16 called Mel South never got the credit she deserved for her determination and ability. When she broke top 100 WTA it was an incredible feeling and achievement from her. I was so proud of her.
We would hope that all young tennis players looking to progress through the Player Pathway would aspire to be invited to our Regional Performance Camps, Inter-Regional Performance Camps, Official Trips, and aim to be a regular competitor in National Competition.
Take a look through activity and experiences we support and provide at this age and stage below.
National Camps
National Camps are invitational three-day camps for high potential girls aged 9-10 years old. The programme is delivered twice per year, are residential, and delivered by the 11U/10U Girls National Age Group Captain and the team of 10U National Pathway Coaches.
National Camps at 10U are only currently delivered to our female cohort due to them developing quicker. The boys are kept as a wider group of players in Inter-regional camps and have these as extended 3 day residential camps with the 10U National Pathway coaches.