10 year old Freya was taken into Bristol hospital in December 2021 with a brain tumour and spent several months learning to walk, talk and write again. The tumour left Freya severely sight impaired in her right eye. About 6 months after leaving hospital, Freya decided to go back to her tennis sessions which she had enjoyed every Saturday morning for about two years before the tumour. Freya had been inspired to start playing tennis to follow in the footsteps of her older sister Ellie. At first Freya was a little nervous to return to tennis with her sight impairment, but as soon as she got back on court she loved playing again.
Freya loves to meet up every Saturday morning with her tennis friends, who all come from different schools, and loves the challenge of learning different strokes and techniques, and improving on certain areas especially her serve. Going back to tennis has helped Freya to work on her core strength and coordination. Her coaches at Atlantic Racquet Centre, Bideford, North Devon have been brilliant and have been able to make small adaptions to help Freya with her sight loss. She now takes two bounces when she needs to, and sometimes during rallies the tennis assistant stands behind Freya to help keep rallies going.
Freya says: ‘going to tennis makes me feel excited every Saturday morning and motivates me. It makes me feel included in the group, and everyone accepts me as myself, I’m just Freya and I don’t feel singled out.’
Freya is looking forward to taking part in some of the LTA Visually impaired initiatives when she is a bit older and may even represent Great Britain at International Events. The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust is supporting Freya with a grant towards her coaching, to allow her to continue her lessons and help her on her tennis journey. If you know a player with a disability please check out our grant funding section on the website.
