About the Open

The inspiration for an open event goes back 20 years to 1983 when Judy Hashman was Abingdon Coach and helped kick start the concept of an open competition for juniors.

It became know as the Abingdon and District tournament was meant for children living within a 20 mile radius of Abingdon. This was all before the concept of LTA ratings were introduced and so it continued until 1991 when again Judy Hashman persuaded the club to become an LTA rated tournament. Rated events ran along side the non-rated Abingdon and District events for a few years but when the LTA ratings started to become really popular it was clear that players would only enter rated events for points.

In 1996 senior events were introduced and in 2002 our oldest event, the Preston Bowl Mixed Doubles (going back to 1933) was merged into the Open.

Participation levels remained steady in the ninety's, but since 1999 entries have increased significantly. Increasing the number of events, under 21's since 2001, veterans from 2002 have all contributed to its broadening appeal. Also since 1999 the club has hired an LTA referee to supervise the tournament as well as umpires on finals day. In 2003 ball boys from Coaching Development programme were used.

The growing success of the Open Tournament since 2000 and its expansion into senior tennis has owed much to the efforts over that period of the Tournament Director, Alex Wingent. In 2004, Alex handed over to the capable hands of David Crowley, the Abindon Tennis Club coach. Since moving to the Abingdon area, David has concentrated on development of junior tennis, and in this he has had considerable success. The return of the Open to a mainly junior event this year reflects both the Club objectives and David's coaching focus.