Inside a Leeds tennis centre

Matt asks for his cash calling his coach "great"

Joining a tennis club might not be an every day activity but we've signed up some willing helpers to make it easier for you.

This time 12-year-old Matt tells us what goes on at South Leeds Tennis Centre.

Tell us about your tennis club

Matt, 12, Leeds Your guide

Who are you?

Hi I'm Matt, I'm 12 and I've been playing at South Leeds Tennis Centre for about four years.

Tell us about your club

South Leeds TC Address: Middleton Grove Leeds LS11 5DJ Contact: Matt Breese Tel: [phone]

It's a great centre where people of all ages and abilities can play.

You don't have to pay a membership fee you can just turn up and pay to hire one of the six indoor or six outdoor courts - although it's probably best to book in advance.

There are classes, social sessions, competitions and individual lessons taken by a team of five coaches.

The head coach is Richard Senior and he is also my individual coach - he's great (he paid me to say that!)

What are the facilities like?

This year the centre hosted a men's professional tournament, so it must be good!

I was one of the ball boys. Players came from all over the world - Denmark, America, Croatia and France but the winner happened to be a local player from Wakefield, Andy Banks, so it was a great result and the TV cameras were there too.

Why did you start playing tennis?

Matt's fast facts Age: 12 Club: South Leeds Fave player: Roger Federer LTA rating: 7.1

I started playing tennis because I love all sports and wanted to try a new one.

To begin with I joined a Sunday morning class and then progressed into the Performance Squads which means that I now train every day for two hours.

I have special permission to leave school early on Thursday afternoons to train - which is a definite bonus!!

How good are you?

This season my rating went up so I was pleased and relieved as I had worked hard last season to improve it.

I prefer the winter season to the summer because generally summer competitions are knock-out and if you lose your first match you're out and that's it.

What would you change about tennis in the UK?

I think that the image of tennis in this country is struggling at the moment because we have not produced many great players recently.

Our best players are 'serve-volleyers' and I would prefer to see some 'all-court' players coming through.

Hopefully younger players such as Andy Murray and David Sherwood in the Davis Cup team will help to change the image.

You can find out more about my club and when you can play at:

South Leeds Tennis Centre

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