Harry Wendelken & Eliz Maloney win the 2024 Lexus British Tour Masters in Loughborough
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The 2024 Lexus British Tour Masters finals saw Harry Wendelken claim his second title in the past three years and Eliz Maloney add her name to the tournament’s honour roll for the first time.
The men’s final was first up at the Loughborough University Tennis Centre on Saturday, with third seed Wendelken capping off a tremendous week with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Ewen Lumsden.
22-year-old Wendelken had fended off the Stirling-based second seed in their Group B clash on day one, and his 6-4, 7-5 defeat of Bonus Pool winner Charlie Swaine in the morning’s semi-finals ensured that he hadn’t dropped a set moving into the final.
Lumsden battled longer to edge 17-year-old Ben Gusic-Wan 5-7, 6-3, 10-5 in their last four showdown, and there was an indication that the Sutton Premier Tier champion was feeling the quick turnaround in the title match as Wendelken broke in the opening game.
Lumsden managed to overturn the initial break, but Wendelken’s forceful serving helped him snatch back momentum: a swift 3-3 love hold paving the way to a 6-4 opener.
Lumsden, a graduate from Mississippi State last year, came back from another early break deficit into a 4-3 advantage. But the 2022 champion’s focus did not falter, and his well-measured intensity proved sustainable for a second career title at the Lexus British Tour Masters.
Next year I’m looking to progress, get a new career-high ranking and hopefully do well in some ATP Challengers. [I’m going to] really try and take my tennis to the next level.
“The last few days have been really good,” Wendelken reflected post-victory. “I’ve been really happy with my performances, my attitude, everything like that.
“I already played [Ewen] in my box, and I won that one, so I knew he’d be up for it in this match. He doesn’t give you anything cheap, so you’ve always got to be on it against him and I think that’s what happened today.”
Giving an overall assessment of his recent form, which has featured two M25 semi-finals on British soil, the 22-year-old commented: “In the past I’ve definitely not been as professional off the court and even on the court. I’ve changed my behaviour when it comes to tennis now, and I think it’s showing a bit more.
“Next year I’m looking to progress, get a new career-high ranking and hopefully do well in some ATP Challengers. [I’m going to] really try and take my tennis to the next level.”
Maloney beats Oluwadare to first Lexus British Tour Masters
In a clash of the top two seeds, the women’s ultimate showdown culminated in a 6-4 6-3 victory for Loughborough-based Maloney over Hephzibah Oluwadare.
Both Maloney and 17-year-old Oluwadare had been taken the distance in the semi-finals. Maloney served for the match in the second set before holding off 13-year-old wild card Megan Knight 7-6, 6-7, 10-2, with Oluwadare overcoming fellow teenager Mia Wainwright 2-6, 6-3, 10-1 to set up a meeting of first-time finalists.
Maloney fell behind an early double break as she struggled to adjust to the left-handed firepower of the top seed, but Oluwadare kept the door ajar at 4-1. The second seed remained alert, and reeled off five straight games for the 6-4 set.
A smooth hold for an upbeat Maloney to open set two saw Oluwadare begin to feel the strain of long matches and her opponent’s growing consistency. The Stirling-based player dropped to 3-0, and while she showcased the ability to impose herself with her back against the wall, the scoreboard and the recent top 400 player’s tenacity eventually wore her down.
Maloney’s victory saw her join an honour roll featuring Ranah Stoiber, Emma Raducanu, Freya Christie and Harriet Dart among other noteworthy names.
To have won and have a few extra weeks in the bank for next year… that will be a massive help, and take the pressure off, as well.
“Honestly it took everything I had!” Maloney said of the final. “I was fighting back in that first set, changed a few things and stayed really tough. And even that second set felt down to the wire.
“I’ve had some tough matches along the way… so I was just going into the final happy to be there, and I think I produced some good tennis.”
After peaking at no. 371 in the world rankings last year, a niggling back injury prompted Maloney to seriously consider her route forwards, leading to her joining Loughborough University this season.
“Getting a degree is always something I’ve looked for in life, so it just all came together,” the 24-year-old reflected of the move. “Whenever you’re starting with a new coach, a new set-up, there’ll be different ideas and things to work on… [coaches] Tom (Kisiel) and Lottie (Howard) have been great in getting to know me and explore my game, and I’m starting to see some payoffs now.”
And her £3,000 grand prize is not something Maloney is taking for granted.
“It’s hard to come by weeks where you’re profiting [on the pro tour]. So, to have won and have a few extra weeks in the bank for next year… that will be a massive help, and take the pressure off, as well.”
Tournament Director, Richard Joyner, commented: "We’ve had a great 3 days of tennis here at Loughborough, and today’s semi-final’s & finals have certainly reflected that. The crowd today greatly enjoyed watching the player’s battle it out, helping create a really good atmosphere at the same time."
