2 November 2018

Figuring out the win

Josh Crossley

Josh started his competitive tennis journey a couple of years ago in the Christchurch Park Tennis League in Ipswich. Since then, his tennis has gone from strength to strength, with his latest milestone back-to-back Group 1 wins. We tracked down the up and coming star to find out what's next

I have been playing tennis since I was 4 years old. As I got a bit older, I was inspired by watching players like the 'big 4' compete on the ATP tour and since then my passion and love for tennis has only grown. Over the past couple of years, I have been travelling around the country to compete in tournaments and I next aspire to play ITF events in Europe. 

I first heard about the league through the LTA. I had just finished school and was looking to compete more for the first time, so the league was a great place to start with guaranteed match practice against different opponents with different styles of play.

The thing I love about tennis is that it’s not only physically demanding but also mentally challenging. You need to adapt your approach for different opponents because certain tactics or styles might not match up well against every player.

I am having more success now than when I first started because I have developed the ability and willingness to adapt my style of play depending on the opponent in front of me on any given day. Singles is one on one, and unlike other sports there are no ties in tennis, so it’s up to you to figure out a way to win! 

The most memorable matches have been those where you might not be playing your best, but you figure out a way to turn a match in your favour from an awkward position. I have played many great matches in the leagues and have met so many different people along the way with everyone presenting a new challenge. It’s nice to get to know familiar faces who play round by round and meet up for friendly hits outside of the league competition.

My confidence in my ability on the tennis court has grown drastically from when I first started playing. The league is what you make of it and is a great way to meet new people and play competitive tennis all year round in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I would encourage anyone, whether you’re an experienced player or someone playing your first match, to join as it's a great way for people of all abilities to play competitive tennis, especially for those starting their 'competitive journey' like I have.

Ready to rise to the challenge set by Josh? The next round of the Christchurch Park Tennis League, Ipswich starts on 8th November and you can join here.