26 March 2018

Can anyone stop Sunderland's number 1!?

Peter Toase

After his recent match at the Puma Silksworth tennis facility in Sunderland, Peter Toase has now clocked up 23 local tennis leagues matches. The 64 year old is more than holding his own in the Sunderland local league, in fact, it seems no one can stop the formidable baseliner who has now spent 9 months at the top!

'I've been fortunate enough to win the league for the past 9 months. I first started playing tennis when I was 16, at that point it was only in the summer months every year when Wimbledon was on the TV. Football was my main sport from the age of 11 to 33 but I then took up squash to keep fit and played in the local squash leagues in Durham Bannatyne.'

Whilst Peter might not have focussed on tennis in his earliest sporting years, he's recently begun to take up the challenge of holding Sunderland's number one spot!

'I retired from work (NSK Bearings Peterlee) at the end of March 2017 and started to concentrate on tennis more and more, and eventually stopped playing squash last October. I had seen Local Tennis Leagues advertised in the reception at Puma Silksworth and thought I'd give it a go.

I now play in the tennis singles league plus I am also a member of Shotley Bridge tennis club and play in various Doubles teams in the Northumberland and Durham Leagues.'

Peter's rise to dominance in the Sunderland league has surprised even himself considering his initial aim was simply to stay fit and healthy;

'My game has certainly improved since April. The reason I have focussed on playing more tennis is that it helps to keep me fit, meet plenty of new friends and as I age it is easier on the knee joints and not as harsh as squash!!'

Peter might turn 65 in December this year, but his run of form will take some stopping! Having not dropped a set in his last 5 matches, he's well on the way to another local tennis leagues championship.

A huge thanks for taking the time to speak with us Peter, and congratulations on your fantastic, and well-deserved success. We're looking forward to seeing who Sunderland's next challenger to your throne is!

All the info on joining the Sunderland league is available here