One of the UK’s most promising junior tennis players will compete against some of the best in the world in Paris later this month. Eleven year old Edinburgh local Jacob Fearnley has been selected as the only UK representative (and first ever Scottish player) to take part in the Longines Future Tennis Aces Competition where he will have the chance to compete for the trophy. The two finalists will also win sports equipment funding until their 16th birthday.
Sixteen players chosen from around the world, Â including Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the U.S.A have been chosen by their national associations to compete in the clay tournament for the under 12 title, organised by Longines, the official timekeeper of the French Open.
Each year the competition features either an all girls or all boys event and this year it’s the boys’ turn. Supervised and helped by professionals, clay court specialist coach Jerome Golmard and physical trainer Rémi Barbarin, they will be able to spend two days working on particular techniques for playing on clay. After two intensive training days, (28th-29th May), the two day tournament will take place for the first time on the iconic front court of the city hall. The winner will be announced on 1st June 2013.
Jacob currently trains at the Tennis Academy Scotland, Merchiston Castle School with coach Marcel du Coudray. He said, “I’m really excited about competing in the tournament against players from lots of different countries. It’ll be great to have the chance to play on red clay too!â€
