WILF, WORLD CHAMPION!
Playing on the clay courts of Antalya, Turkey, Wilf Jessop of Hallamshire & Hallam Grange tennis clubs (Sheffield) has won the World 75+ Mixed Doubles title with partner Marjory Love of Scotland. Playing against world number one and newly crowned World 75+ Men’s Singles champion Spaniard Jairo Velasco Ramirez and his Italian partner, they came back from a set and 1-4 down to win the champions tie-break 10-8.
Wilf had already established a reputation for a fighting spirit (and fitness!) during his membership of the British team in the 75+ World Team event the previous week at the same venue. He was the only team member to play singles in all five matches, all at number one, winning three, saving a match point against Australia, and breaking serve when ‘match game’ down against Belgium, all on unfamiliar clay. It has to be said (by me) that this was the main contribution to the team coming 7th of 16 entries.
Very well done Wilf. Hope you realise you now become a target in every Sheffield & District mixed doubles match for years to come – “We beat a world champion”!
Author – John Andrews
