From Novice to Wimbledon in a month

Lt Henry Warrender competed in the Inter-Service Tennis Championships at Wimbledon after rediscovering tennis with the Royal Navy a few weeks prior.

Having not picked up a tennis racquet since joining the Navy in 2019, Lt Warrender found the Royal Navy Tennis Association through NAVYfit and got in touch with the intention of gradually getting back into the sport. 

The Novice Championships in June were Henry’s first taste of Royal Navy tennis, where he came away with a win and an invitation to the Development Squad camp in July where players were selected for the Inter-Service competition. 

Henry said, “I went to the development camp to meet the team and have a play around. I gave myself the goal of competing for the B-Team next year but ended up being selected to represent the Navy at Inter-Services.” 

The Inter-Services tennis tournament is played in the Orangey Pavilion at Wimbledon, where professional players like Novak Djokovic practiced before playing on centre court a couple of weeks before. 

Henry said, “To experience what professional players experience for those two days was incredible. I had never played with that many people watching me before, with that kind of atmosphere. 

“It was all a bit of a shock as I really had not expected to be there at all. It was such an amazing experience though; I feel very lucky.

“The Inter-Service environment is very competitive and it is very high-level tennis being played. I was very proud to representing the Navy at that level. The professionalism of the event gave it real stature and made it feel like the real Wimbledon.”

The military teams had the traditional Wimbledon experience, with rain on the second day of the tournament. Henry saw the positive side, saying, “it meant we got to play on the indoor courts as well. I thought maybe we would get to play centre court with the roof on, but not quite!”

Players can invite family members to support and spectate for the championships, providing a unique opportunity for not just serving personnel but their loved ones to experience Wimbledon also. Henry just missed out, commenting, “I was so adamant I was not going to be there that I missed the deadline for inviting family members. My girlfriend was not impressed that she did not get to go to Wimbledon!”

Henry added, “I would never have the chance to play at Wimbledon if I was not in the military. The sporting opportunities are so unique.

“The best advice I would give to anyone thinking about trying tennis or any sport in the Navy, is just do it. Go on the NAVYfit page and see what is out there.” 

From winning the novice championships to playing on the courts of Wimbledon in just a month, Henry was still new to the team dynamic when competing in such a big event. 

He said, “I played doubles with a player I had never played with before. It was his first Inter-Service competition last year. It was daunting, but the coach kept me calm and collected; serious on the court and great banter off the court.

“The social side made the whole experience so inclusive. The team made me feel welcome instantly and I feel like part of the association already.” 

The Army retained their Inter-Service title for another year at Wimbledon but that has not put Henry off his enthusiasm for the sport. He said, “The Army squad depth was 108, the Royal Navy’s was 8 and I saw this as a positive. It made us a close-knit, cohesive team and as the underdogs you appreciate the experience so much more.” 

Henry was presented his colours after the tournament and plans to continue his journey with the Royal Navy Tennis Association as both a player and a coach, as he comes to the team with a coaching qualification gained before he joined the Navy.

Henry said, “I plan to stick at it throughout the year. Keep improving my own game but coaching others too as I love that side. I want to encourage as many people to join as possible.”

The tennis association is always welcoming new members in all areas of the sport and encourage personnel of all abilities and ranks to join.