Mansfield tennis champion Ann Brown looks to the future

“For me, the enjoyment of the game is good enough. That’s what tennis is about.”

Those are the humble words of Mansfield Lawn Tennis Club’s Ann Brown, the 59-year old veteran of the English tennis circuit.

This year Ann won the doubles of the British Open Seniors Clay Court Championships, and even succeeded at international level, winning a tournament in Mallorca.

Currently, she is in the top 10 of her age group’s doubles rankings, and she has represented Great Britain and captained the Welsh team.

Her form at senior level saw her nominated for a Mansfield Sports Award this year, but as far as Ann is concerned, the accolades aren’t a priority.

She cites ‘practise’, and her enjoyment of it, as the most important part of her game. She never played as a junior, and only joined a Tennis club when she was 22.

Her success is made all the more impressive when you consider she was a latecomer to the game.

Ann said: “I studied for a degree in teaching, in Manchester. When we left university, me and my friends wanted to live near Nottingham – it was like a halfway point from where we all came from.

“I was the only one who found work here, though. I was then on my own, in a place where I didn’t know anyone. Thankfully, joining the tennis club helped me socialise.”

The sport helped Ann when she needed it, and now, she hopes her excellent form can be used to catalyse any local young tennis players.

Ann added: “I’d like to represent Britain again. The fitter I am, the better I will be – there’s no point trying to play when you’re not in shape.

“I take heart from seeing the people in their eighties playing at the club. It gives me hope that I can keep going!”

Ann is reaping the rewards from the sport she loves, and it seems as though it isn’t quite ‘game, set and match’ for her career just yet.