Findel- Hawkins qualifies for Futures $10,000 Tournament

The tournament, run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), is part of the Aegon GB Pro-Series and offers a colossal $10,000 total prize fund. The event is Jack’s first step towards achieving his aim of a world ranking. 48 players from around the world travelled to Graves Tennis & Leisure Centre to compete in the Sheffield leg of the qualifiers.

Players competed individually in the best of three set matches in the knockout draw. Jack, placed 44th in the National Senior rankings, and 9th in the Under 18s, came through some difficult competition to become one of only eight players to qualify through to the final.

In the first round he beat doubles partner Alex Gasson in straight sets, before overcoming Sean Thornley, ranked 45th in the national senior rankings, who retired at 4:4. The final round saw Jack face the competition’s fifth sees Richard Gabb, ranked 24th. The match was incredibly close, with both players performing exceptionally well. In the end Jack prevailed; winning in three sets 7:6, 4:6, 7:6.

A student at Exmouth Community College, Jack is also part of Exeter Tennis Centre’s high performance programme which sees him benefit from a dedicated training programme which includes one to one coaching, strength and conditioning sessions, sessions with Ocean Physio and video analysis.

Jack will now join some of the best young players in the world in the tournament main draw, the first round taking place on the 29 February. Director of Tennis Will McNally said “I am delighted with Jack’s progress. It has been his ambition to achieve a world tennis ranking and this is the first major step to realising this ambition. We will be following his progress closely here at Exeter Tennis Centre and wish him every success with the final stage of the tournament.”

Follow us on twitter @exetertenniscentre for up-to-the-minute information on Jack’s progress.