British padel star Sam Jones was named the LTA Male Padel Player of the Year after an outstanding year in the sport.
The annual LTA Tennis Awards, presented by Lexus, highlight and celebrate the incredible achievements and contributions of people in tennis and padel across Britain.
Held at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, Jones took the crown as Britain’s best on the men’s side of the padel game, capping off a stellar 2023 that saw him claim a handful of LTA Padel British Tour titles - including victories at Surge Padel in Harrogate and Stratford Padel Club.
National winners crowned at the 2024 LTA Tennis Awards, presented by @LexusUK 🏆
— LTA (@the_LTA) July 3, 2024
More on the grassroots heroes from across the country recognised with awards 👇
Female Padel Player of the Year Aimee Gibson could not speak more glowingly about her friend, who had been of much help to her during her padel journey.
“When I first started padel, he helped me a lot on court,” she said. “He was teaching me a lot.
“He’s a very talented player in the men's team. He plays in a lot of the Premier Padel, which is the highest grade of the tournaments.
“He's in the top 200 ranked of the men, which is very difficult. The men are very high level, so he's doing really well.”
While recognising Britain’s top tennis and padel talent at the LTA Awards, there was also a batch of elated winners who had been selected from more than 2,200 nominations across 15 different categories, acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to tennis in 2023.
First launched in 2015 with the help of former LTA president Cathie Sabin OBE, the LTA Awards recognise the vital work of volunteers, coaches and officials, as well as players, who dedicate their precious time and energy to the continual development and growth of the sport.
Over the past nine years, the awards have illustrated the depth of service and talent within the tennis community and serve as an inspiration to others to get involved in the game.
Leon Smith, Great Britain Davis Cup Team Captain, and LTA Head of Men’s Tennis, said: “It’s been a pleasure to have all the winners and runners-up come together at the National Tennis Centre in celebration of their dedication to the game.
‘’Listening during the awards and finding out more about the impact all our finalists have made to tennis, is just so inspirational. It’s also very humbling to hear about the incredible work they have been doing in clubs, venues, parks, schools, and communities up and down the country.
“We are delighted to be able to acknowledge their amazing contributions. I look forward to following what they go on to do next year. Congratulations to all our amazing finalists.”
The annual LTA Awards, presented by Lexus.
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