MCC Gold Racquet 2023

Spectators in a well-attended dedans at Lord's were privileged to watch a magnificent match between the holder Jamie Douglas and his challenger Rob Shenkman. In a 5-set thriller lasting 4 hours without a break both players demonstrated remarkable fitness, forcing, defending, stunning retrieval with relentless rallies. Without doubt the best Gold Racquet contest in years. Rob Shenkman couldn't quite do a Carlos Alcaraz the following day at Wimbledon, but it was so close with the final set at 5-5, 30-30. However, with Jamie at the service end, he just pipped Rob winning 6-4,3-6,5-6,6-4,6-5 and with it his twelfth Gold Racquet and Rob becoming the Silver Racquet holder. The contest was marked expertly by Chris Bray from the middle and Chris Swallow in the dedans calling service faults.

Giles Pemberton