Winter tennis always seems a good idea in September, especially when we’ve had such a sizzling, hot summer as we all experienced in 2022.

Indeed, it was hard back in the early Autumn, when Winter League matches began, for even the most seasoned players of Sidmouth Tennis Club to believe that there could be anything ahead except balmy, still and dry evenings on court, where matches would be played out against the sound of their supporters’ glasses gently clinking as they sipped their gins and clapped politely, and appropriately, at selected points.

Fools. Fools. Fools.

Replace balmy with baltic; still, with windswept; and, dry with drenched, and then you get a more accurate picture of the Winter Leagues’ action in Devon.

Five layers was the norm for players who often resembled American footballers rather than Wimbledon wannabees - not for us the cut-off t-shirts of Nadal nor the cut-off skirts of Serena Williams: it was more like the insulation and weatherproofing of a small house in which the teams were attired!

Sidmouth Herald:

Nevertheless, our four Ladies’ teams, three Men’s teams and two Mixed teams battled hard against the weather, and the opposition, from all over the county, securing some great results.

Special mention, though, has to go to Ladies’ A, Ladies’ C and Men’s A, who all secured second in their divisions. As both Men’s A and Ladies’ A are in Division 1, Ladies’ C are the only squad to be promoted.

As some of these players are relatively new to tennis, while guided by some more experienced members, this is quite an achievement and testament to their commitment and determination to improve. Well done Ladies!

In conclusion, hats off to the more than 50 players who signed up for one or more of the nine teams, and hats off also to the often solo supporter who clutched, not a gin and tonic as expected, but rather a hot chocolate, hand warmer and brolly.

Here’s to the Summer season at Sidmouth Tennis Club when the weather shall, of course, be balmy, still and dry…we hope!