Connaught tennis club has much to celebrate as one of their rising tennis stars has become the only ATP world ranked male player in Essex.

Robert Carter, aged 18, of the Connaught Club in Chingford achieved the accolade after he made it to the last-16 of a futures event in Kuwait, just a week after winning his first British Tour Title in Norwich.

Another promising player from Connaught, Lewis Thompson, could join Carter on the ATP ranking list as he earned himself world-ranking play-off matches.

Lower down the age groups, the club's mini tennis academy competed at the Harlow tournament last weekend with several notable performances.

Kai Cowcher won the red event, Jaycee Kalenzi won the orange event and Namgyal Samuels and Lucy Dawson lost in the final and semi-final respectively of the green tournament.

The tennis club are enjoying their first year of partnership with the University of East London who play their home matches at Connaight on Wednesday afternoons.

The partnership has seen world ranked number 520 WTA player Anna Fitzpatrick and Essex's Marshall Tutu both gracing the Connaught courts.

Academy manager Helen Crook said: "Having players like these at Connaught is brilliant news as it means we have more role models for the younger players, and for the ones fighting for British national standings."

Connaught's squash club also has reason to celebrate as Jags Sehmi and Richie Fellows won the Under-17’s and Under-19’s Essex Closed Championships respectively at Kingswood Squash Club. Youssif Abdalla was the other finalist in the Under-19 competition.

For more information on Connaught's tennis programmes call 07711 807177 or email info@wimx.org.uk.