*Scottish National Handicap Championships 2024

Congratulations to our Scottish National Champions, Nick Gordon in the Singles and Ronald Paterson and Dan Worboys in the Doubles, and to everyone who played and helped make this a Tremendous Tenth year of the SNC. 2024 was a very fine vintage; we were treated to some terrific contests and splendid play off handicap. We are so grateful to our loyal sponsors, Pol Roger and Tunnocks, for their enduring support and the generous array of prizes and comestibles.

As well as welcoming back those who have entered before (including some who have entered every year), we were delighted to welcome new players to the tournament and to the considerable camaraderie of Scottish Real Tennis. James Carnegie-Brown, Malcom Offord and Joe Sharpe played for the first time this year and Malcolm made the brave move of making this his first ever competitive match. He visibly improved each time on court, and we expect that all three with figure significantly in the future of the Scottish tennis.

We are always over-subscribed for our challenge matches against Ireland (March) and Wales (April ) and for the Scottish Nationals, and we expect that 2025 will be no exception. Everyone who played in the SNC 2024 was kind enough to write within 24 hours of the breathless finish, and all have signed up immediately for next year. But if members of the Scottish diaspora and players north of the border would like to join the waiting list for a place in next year’s Scot Nat Champs, please let me know, as a lot can and will change before the next iteration and places may become available. If your name is on the list, I will write to you much closer to the SNC 2025, which will be held at Radley on 7 and 8 June, to check availability and other details.

Match after match had thrills, great shots and passages of play, determined defence, breathless attack and all were played in a wonderful spirit. The combination of serious intent and fine sporting behaviour has been characteristic of the SNC over the years, and this year’s tournament followed this admirable pattern. It makes it a joy to watch, and the two finals were exemplars. Not only did we have all-new finalists, but both the Singles and the Doubles went to 5-games all, could have gone either way and ended in warm embraces and smiles all round (see the photo below, taken after the Doubles final).

In the Singles, Nick Gordon gave points to Bob Compton, and both played below handicap to give those in the non-partisan and appreciative dedans a splendid show. Nick looked as if he was running on fumes by the end after a lot of court time over the weekend but managed to slow the game down and keep his own rhythm. Bob played his heart out but must have been conscious that he would be remaining on court, regardless of outcome, having made it to his first Doubles final as well.

After just a few minutes rest, Bob went on court again. Unluckily for him, he and his partner, the debutante, Joe Sharpe, could not quite exploit their handicap advantage to the full against the very experienced pair of players they faced, and Dan Worboys and Ronald Paterson took the Doubles title, 6-5. Dan, Ronald and Bob have been stalwarts of the Scottish real tennis events since they began in 2014, and it was splendid to see them reach their first finals and raise the silverware at last.

James Dron brought his bagpipes and played a rousing skirl; always a treat for us and a considerable surprise for passing pedestrians. Thank you to all entrants for being such good company over the weekend and for boundless enthusiasm. My only reservation is that they did not eat nearly enough. It was leftovers for a week for me, which allowed me to carry out some empirical testing, proving beyond doubt that cats love venison from the glens and salmon from the loch but draw the line at whisky-drenched haggis and cranachan.

As ever, the Radley professional team of Chris, Nino and Alex did a first-class job, and our collective thanks go to them, as always. You are The Best in the Business!

Maggie Henderson-Tew

Scottish Captain