Winners of the 2024/25 Season T&RA Awards Announced
Congratulations are in order for several Real Tennis and Rackets players who were honored during the T&RA’s Annual Dinner and Awards ceremony.
This year’s T&RA Annual Dinner and Awards ceremony took place on Thursday, 6 November, at The Queen’s Club. The event honored the very best of the 2024/25 season in both Real Tennis and Rackets and gave members a chance to mingle and discuss the happenings in both sports during a Pol Roger Champagne reception and during a delicious dinner served in the President’s Room. 19-time Amateur Singles winner, Julian Snow, legend and raconteur, considered the best and most successful amateur Real Tennis player in the last 40 years, attended as the evening’s guest speaker.
REAL TENNIS AWARDS
This year the Baerlein Award for Best Amateur Player was given to Rob Shenkman, who exceeded his own remarkable achievements from the previous season, winning the Amateur Championship for the third time in a row. Nationally, Rob captained the Bathurst Cup British Team, beating the US before narrowly losing to a strong Australian team in the final, in Melbourne.
The Committee debated the merits of both Ben Taylor-Matthews and Claire Fahey for the Warburg Salver (Best Professional Performance) and ultimately the decision was to give the award to Claire for a record-breaking season. Claire surpassed even her own remarkable standards.
Jack Josephs became the worthy winner of the Henry Johns Cup for the Best Young Professional. Jack has not only significantly improved his handicap but is proving a great success at the Royal Tennis Court where he has worked since completing his Investing in Professionals apprenticeship.
Archie Campbell was selected as the Most Improved Player and was awarded the Greenwood Trophy. Archie has continued to excel in the game, as indicated by his ever-improving handicap.
RACKETS AWARDS
Ben Bomford was awarded the Latham (Best Performance by a Professional), having won the Professional Singles. Ben also goes the extra mile in supporting Rackets at Queen’s and is influential among many younger players.
Amateur and Open Singles Champion Richard Owen was the stand-out candidate for the Negretti Cup (Best Performance by an Amateur). He has successfully transitioned from World Doubles Champion into the leading contender for the World Singles Title.
Ladies Open Champion Cesca Sweet was awarded the Lillibet Bowl (Best Performance by a Woman). She won virtually every event on the season’s calendar, the pinnacle of which was finally capturing the Open Singles Championship.
James Rossiter was awarded the Renny Trophy (Most Improved Player) after his wins in both the US Amateur and Canadian Amateur tournaments, which, although outside of Britain, showed significant success and progress. He also improved his world ranking to 13th.
And finally, Nick Brodie was awarded the Maltby Salver for Volunteer of the Year for his efforts in organising the National Open Event, as well as masterminding the World Masters Team events in 2024, serving as Head Steward in the Pol Roger, Field and Brodie competitions and serving as T&RA Director of Tournaments.
The recipients of the T&RA Awards are chosen by our Board and Games Committees, which have deep knowledge of the Real Tennis and Rackets community.
