The Oratory Real Tennis Club hosted their annual Club Handicap Singles Championship sponsored for the first time by Sotheby’s International Realty. The competition consisted of 10 group stages over two days played on both The Oratory School court and The Hardwick court. There were a lot of very close matches due to the handicap system.
Sunday morning was the start of the knock out stages. There was some top tennis played, with some players having to give away massive handicaps. David Lambert had the toughest handicaps, playing 3 matches giving away large differences. He made it to the Semi Finals before being defeated by Melvyn Keen 3/6. In the second Semi Final, Candida Nicholls played Michael Seymour off a large handicap. Michael played very precise tennis and used great control to secure his place in the Final, he won 6/3. The Final was always going to be tough for Michael as he was again giving away points with a tough handicap; However, he had already proved he could win on such handicaps but everyone was ready for a closely fought Final. Michael started very strongly but Melvyn was playing very well and managed to secure the necessary points when needed. Melvyn won 6/4.
Congratulations to Melvyn who is now Sotheby’s International Realty Club Handicap Singles Champion and thank you to Sotheby’s International Realty for their generous sponsorship of the Championship.
Photo (from Left to Right): Tim Shears (Head of Region, Sotheby’s), Melvyn Keen (Singles Champion) and Michael Seymour (Runner Up)
