RAYLEIGH Lawn Tennis Club duo Layla Rowe and Sofia Nice will both be playing at Wimbledon next month.
The successful pairing have qualified in the girls’ under-18s doubles after winning the Essex section of the “play your way to Wimbledon” event.
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And Rayleigh head coach Ryan Wilson - who has worked with both girls since they were eight - is proud to have them make it to SW19 for the third summer in succession.
“I am really proud of the girls and what they have achieved,” said Ryan.
“It is thoroughly deserved through the shear hard work and time they put into their tennis.
“Like so many of our juniors at Rayleigh they are a pleasure to work with and they have achieved great success both individually and as a doubles pairing.”
Layla, 16, and Sofia, 15, are no strangers to success having won a whole host of Essex County titles as well as helping Rayleigh Lawn to silverware at local and county level.
The duo have shone in singles competitions, with Sofia looking to defend her Southend & District Singles title this Sunday.
But it took her time to get into playing tennis.
“When I was six I started playing tennis as my parents wanted a sport to get me into and we lived very close to the Rayleigh club,” said Layla.
“I played on a Monday every week for about a year until all the girls in my class dropped out.
“I hated playing with boys and I begged my mum to let me quit but a year later Ryan came to my school and ran a tournament, which I won.
“I then ended up playing in the final at the club and only just losing to a girl who was currently playing at the time.
“After that my grandad wanted me to get back into the sport and Ryan suggested this girl’s only group on a Friday.
“So at the age of eight I returned. I was a very shy child but loved playing to get away from reality.”
And Layla also enjoyed playing doubles with Sofia.
“In 2019, 2020 I met Sofia in a new group,” she recalls.
“We were both shy and instantly got along, always playing each other and having fun. We entered our first-ever doubles tournament together.
“We were both new to the tournament side of the sport but managed to win one of our matches.
“Fast forward to now I wouldn’t picture my life without tennis and all the friends I made along the way.
“I am very proud to have played at Wimbledon twice and can’t wait for the third time.”
And those sentiments were echoed by Sofia.
“Tennis is my passion and I hope to continue improving and hopefully represent Essex more in the future,” she said.
“I am aiming to gain a tennis scholarship to an American college where I will be able to train full time and take my tennis to the next level.
“One of my proudest achievements has been representing Essex Under-18s in the 12 Counties and County Cup and getting invited to train with the Essex Ladies team.
“I can’t wait to get back on the grass and play at Wimbledon again this year.”
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